Rich Roman, District Executive for PennDOT’s Engineering District 4, joins the News Engine Podcast to discuss the 7.5-mile Interstate 81 widening project between Scranton and Avoca.

The enormous project will cost $500 million and take 10 years but it will be 5 years before crews start digging. Between now and then there's a lot of planning.

Rich takes us inside the expansion and discusses how traffic will be affected and what drivers and commuters can expect. He also discusses a similar 7-mile widening project for Luzerne County that's expected to start in two years.

We also couldn't resist the opportunity to give Rich some grief about the traffic circle near the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and he breaks down for us why roundabouts can work.

If you travel on Interstate 81 in Lackawanna or Luzerne Counties this episode is a must-listen.

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