Staying Safe in Scranton Traffic During the Big Boy Reunion at Steamtown

From June 15 through June 30, thousands of people will head to downtown Scranton to see two Union Pacific Big Boy locomotives lined up side by side at Steamtown National Historic Site. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for the city. It is also two weeks of heavy traffic, packed parking garages, and crowded crosswalks in downtown Scranton.

The National Park Service has issued warnings of increased traffic throughout Scranton during the reunion, and with crowds this large, the risk of crashes and pedestrian injuries is rising.

Munley Law has called Scranton home for generations, and we want everyone who comes downtown for the Big Boys to get home safely. If you are injured in a crash or fall during the event, call our Scranton office for a free consultation.

Why Will Scranton Traffic Be So Heavy During the Big Boy Reunion?

Traffic is expected to be heavy as the reunion brings tens of thousands of visitors into the compact downtown area over a two-week period, most of them traveling from outside the city.

Drivers who do not know Scranton’s tight, one-way streets will be driving them for the first time, in heavy traffic, while hunting for parking that is in short supply.

The Park Service is running free shuttles from three lots on the busiest display days and has limited parking at Steamtown itself, which pushes vehicles into the downtown garages and onto the surrounding streets. The result is exactly the kind of slow, congested, unfamiliar driving that leads to fender-benders and pedestrian close calls.

How Can You Avoid a Crash Driving Downtown for the Event?

The best way to avoid a crash in downtown Scranton is to slow down, plan your parking before you arrive, and use the free shuttles when you can.

A few simple habits make a real difference in event traffic.

• Use the official shuttle lots on display days instead of circling downtown for a space
• Reserve your timed entry ahead of time so you are not rushing or distracted near the site
• Expect stop-and-go traffic and leave extra following distance
• Watch for pedestrians stepping off curbs and crossing mid-block, not just at corners
•  Do not block crosswalks or intersections while you wait for a garage to clear

Who Is at Fault for a Crash in a Packed Downtown Garage?

Fault in a parking garage crash follows the same negligence rules as any road, even though the garage is private property. A driver who backs out without looking or speeds through a tight lane can be held responsible, and it is not automatically a 50/50 split, no matter what the other driver claims.

With the downtown garages filling to capacity during the reunion, low-speed backing and lane crashes will be common. Before anyone moves or leaves, take a picture of the scene and the other car. The security cameras in the garage and your own images will be used to identify any issues later on.

What Are the Risks for Pedestrians Around Steamtown?

The biggest risk is the simple mismatch of huge foot traffic and drivers who are not expecting it. Crowds will be crossing Lackawanna Avenue and the streets around Steamtown all day, and a driver watching for a parking space instead of the crosswalk is how pedestrians get struck.

Pennsylvania law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, but the law is little comfort after a collision.

Pedestrians can protect themselves by crossing at marked crosswalks, making eye contact with drivers before stepping out, and staying off their phones while crossing. Parents should also keep a hand on small children whenever they are near the curb.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Pennsylvania?

You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim in Pennsylvania (42 Pa.C.S. Section 5524, as of 2026). This applies whether you were hurt in a crash, in a garage, or as a pedestrian during the event.

Acting quickly still matters because time-sensitive evidence, such as garage and street camera footage, is often erased within days. A short call to a lawyer can preserve it before it is gone.

Enjoy the Big Boys, and Stay Safe

The Big Boy Reunion is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime event for Scranton, and it should be a good memory, not a trip to the emergency room.

If a crash or a fall during the reunion leaves you or a family member injured, the Scranton personal injury lawyers at Munley Law are right here and ready to help. Contact our Scranton office for a free consultation; we charge no fees unless we win.