President Biden Expressway

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Expressway
Central Scranton Expressway
Route information
Maintained by PennDOT
Length0.755 mi[1] (1,215 m)
Existed1964–present
Component
highways		SR 3022 (unsigned; entire length)
Major junctions
West endCedar Avenue / US 11 / PA 307 in Scranton
East end I-81 in Scranton
Location
CountryUnited States
StatePennsylvania
CountiesLackawanna
Highway system

The President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Expressway, commonly referred to as the President Biden Expressway,[2][3] and formerly the Central Scranton Expressway, is a 0.76-mile-long (1.22 km) freeway in Scranton in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It runs east-southeast from U.S. Route 11 (US 11)/Pennsylvania Route 307 (PA 307) and Cedar Avenue near Downtown Scranton to Interstate 81 (I-81).

The highway is one of only three freeways in Pennsylvania with no posted route number. In the Location Referencing System, it is designated as unsigned State Route 3022 by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). In 2021, the road was renamed after President Joe Biden, who was born in Scranton.

Route description

The President Biden Expressway is a four-lane controlled-access highway that runs for 0.755 miles (1.215 km) through Scranton, Pennsylvania, and parallels the southern bank of Roaring Brook, a tributary of the Lackawanna River, for its entire duration. The expressway travels from northwest to southeast, with no intermediate exits between its termini.

From its western terminus, the expressway begins at an interchange near Downtown Scranton. The westbound direction splits into two ramps: a two-way ramp connecting to Cedar Avenue (SR 3023)[4] and a one-way ramp to US 11/PA 307 north (signed as "Central City / University / Colleges").[5] Entrances to the expressway from Cedar Avenue and US 11 south are marked with signage reading "To I-81/I-84/I-380".[6][7]

At 0.387 miles (0.623 km) along the route, the freeway passes under the Harrison Avenue Bridge. At its eastern terminus, the expressway splits into two ramps at a T-interchange with I-81;[1] the ramp to I-81 north directs traffic to Binghamton, New York, I-84, and I-380, and the ramp to I-81 south directs traffic to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[8]

History

Construction began in 1964 alongside the adjacent section of I-81.[9] The road was built along a portion of the former Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad right-of-way passing beneath the Harrison Avenue Bridge.[10] It opened with a temporary western terminus feeding into Front Street at Prospect Avenue. By the early 1970s, the current interchange at the western terminus was opened, connecting to a new road replacing the demolished Spruce Street Bridge.

In July 2021, there was a proposal to rename the Central Scranton Expressway after incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden, who was born in Scranton.[11] On July 20, 2021, the Scranton City Council unanimously voted to rename the Central Scranton Expressway to the President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Expressway along with renaming Spruce Street to Biden Street.[12] PennDOT replaced signage on the northbound lanes of I-81 on September 29, 2021, and replaced signage on the southbound lanes of I-81 on the following day. The sign installation was completed on October 4, 2021, at the exit 185 off ramp along I-81.[2][13]

In December 2024, local residents and multiple state politicians called for Biden's name to be removed from the expressway after he controversially commuted the sentence of Michael Conahan, a judge responsible for the kids for cash scandal that took place in neighboring Luzerne County. However, Scranton mayor Paige Cognetti and the city council declined to remove the signs.[14][15]

A sign reading "Scranton Welcomes You" previously existed on the expressway westbound near the I-81 interchange, and was featured in the opening credits of the TV series The Office (2005–2013). Due to its popularity with vehicles stopping along the expressway for photos, the sign was removed and a replica was installed inside the Marketplace at Steamtown (formerly the Steamtown Mall) in Downtown Scranton.[16][17]

Exit list

The entire route is in Scranton, Lackawanna County.

mi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
0.0000.000Cedar AvenueWestern terminus; unsigned SR 3023
Central City / University / CollegesWestern terminus; access via US 11/PA 307 north; entrance via US 11 south
0.7551.215


 I-81 north to I-84 / I-380 – Binghamton		Eastern terminus; exit 185 on I-81

 I-81 south – Wilkes-Barre
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

Template:Attached KML/Central Scranton Expressway
KML is from Wikidata

References

  1. ^ a b c SR 3022 (PDF). Straight Line Diagram: Lackawanna 35, January 2025 (Report). Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. December 23, 2024. p. 336. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  2. ^ a b Warner, Andrea (September 29, 2021). "Lane restrictions on I-81 for installation of 'Biden Expressway' signage". PAhomepage. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  3. ^ "Two roads to be renamed after President Biden in his Pa. hometown". NewsNation Now. July 8, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  4. ^ Lackawanna County, Pennslyvania (PDF) (Map). 1:65,000. Type 10 General Highway Map. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  5. ^ "President Biden Expy (at western terminus)". Google Street View. April 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  6. ^ "US 11 (at President Biden Expy entrance)". Google Street View. April 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  7. ^ "298 Cedar Ave (at President Biden Expy entrance)". Google Street View. April 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  8. ^ "President Biden Expy (at eastern terminus)". Google Street View. April 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  9. ^ Kitsko, Jeffrey J. (September 30, 2014). "Pennsylvania Highways: Interstate 81". Pennsylvania Highways. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  10. ^ Henwood, James N. J.; Muncie, John G. (1986). Laurel Line: An Anthracite Region Railway. Glendale, California: Interurban Press. p. 186. ISBN 0916374726.
  11. ^ Butler, Cody (July 6, 2021). "Scranton City Council begins voting on 'Biden Expressway'". PAhomepage. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  12. ^ Lee, Peggy (July 20, 2021). "Scranton City Council unanimously votes to rename roads after native son Biden". Scranton, PA: WNEP-TV. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  13. ^ Staff (September 30, 2021). "Another new expressway sign up in Scranton". Scranton, PA: WNEP-TV. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Haberski, Tim (December 17, 2024). "Pa. State Rep. calls for name change of Biden Expressway in Scranton". PAhomepage.com. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  15. ^ Lockwood, Jim (January 8, 2025). "Biden name to remain on two roads in Scranton; council takes no action on residents' request for removal or ballot referendum". Scranton Times-Tribune. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  16. ^ Clark, Jayne (July 29, 2009). "Scranton welcomes fans of 'The Office'". USA Today. Retrieved March 4, 2026 – via ABC News.
  17. ^ "Scranton Welcomes You Sign". Lackawanna County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
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