STROUDSBURG — Monroe County commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday to approve a $4.2 million road improvement package targeting some of the region’s most deteriorated rural corridors, with work expected to begin as early as next spring — though residents packed the meeting chamber to push back on what many called an unrealistic schedule and a shortlist that left out their streets.
The package, funded through a combination of state liquid fuels funds and federal infrastructure allocations, will cover resurfacing and drainage improvements on nine road segments across the county, including stretches of Rimrock Road in Middle Smithfield Township, Hollow Road in Hamilton Township, and portions of Analomink Road that have drawn repeated complaints from residents and emergency services alike.
Commissioner John Moyer, who cast the lone dissenting vote, argued the county should have waited for an independent engineering assessment before committing funds. “We’re locking in $4.2 million based on a priority list that hasn’t been publicly vetted,” Moyer said. “I’m not against fixing roads. I’m against doing it without a process residents can trust.”
Commissioners Chair Sharon Caldwell and Vice Chair Douglas Patel voted in favor, with Caldwell emphasizing that delays would only drive up costs. “Every winter we wait, we add to the damage. These roads aren’t getting better on their own,” she said.
A Room Full of Frustration
The public comment period ran nearly 40 minutes over schedule as residents from across the county lined up at the microphone. Many came prepared — with photos, repair estimates, and printed emails they said had gone unanswered by the county road department for months.
Patricia Deluca, a Kunkletown resident, held up her phone showing a pothole she described as “a small swimming pool” on Lower Cherry Valley Road, a segment not included in the approved package. “I’ve called. I’ve emailed. I showed up to a meeting in March. Nothing,” she said. “And now I’m watching $4.2 million get spent on roads I’ve never even driven on.”
Township supervisors from Polk and Chestnuthill also attended, requesting their districts be added to a future phase of the project. County Administrator Renee Hoffman acknowledged the backlog, saying the county has identified more than 60 road segments in need of some level of attention, but that available funding allowed for only a fraction to move forward this cycle.
What the Money Covers
According to documents submitted to the commissioners, the approved plan breaks down as follows:
- Rimrock Road (Middle Smithfield Township): Full resurfacing and shoulder stabilization across 2.3 miles. Estimated cost: $940,000.
- Hollow Road (Hamilton Township): Drainage culvert replacement and milling, 1.7 miles. Estimated cost: $680,000.
- Analomink Road (Stroud Township): Patching, crack sealing, and guiderail replacement across a 3.1-mile corridor. Estimated cost: $1.1 million.
- Remaining six segments: Distributed among Barrett, Jackson, and Paradise townships, with individual project costs ranging from $180,000 to $420,000.
The county has issued a request for bids, with responses due by October 31. Construction is expected to begin between April and June 2027, weather permitting, and wrap up before the following winter season.
Emergency Services Weighed In
One voice that drew particular attention during public comment came from Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Gary Weston, who told commissioners that road conditions on two of the approved segments had complicated emergency response times on multiple occasions over the past year.
“We’ve had apparatus take alternate routes because the primary road wasn’t safe for a loaded truck,” Weston said. “That adds minutes. In an emergency, minutes matter.” He thanked the commissioners for including those corridors in the package but urged faster timelines and better coordination with first responder agencies on future planning.
What Comes Next
Caldwell said the county intends to pursue an additional round of infrastructure funding through the state’s Municipal Assistance Program in early 2027, which could allow a second package of road improvements to move forward as soon as 2028. Moyer indicated he would support future funding applications but reiterated his call for a formalized community input process before any priority list is finalized.
The county road department will hold two informational sessions — one in Stroudsburg and one in Effort — before construction begins, where residents can review project maps and ask questions. Dates have not yet been announced but are expected to be posted on the county website within 30 days.
For residents looking to report road conditions or flag concerns ahead of the next funding cycle, the Monroe County road department can be reached at (570) 517-3050 or through the online submission form at monroecountypa.gov.
The Pocono Review covers Monroe County government, public safety, and community affairs. If you have a tip or story idea, contact us at news@poconoreview.com.
