Half-Billion Dollar Highway To Nowhere Multi-Cache

It cost $500 million to build. It extends northeast roughly 16 miles from the massive confluence of Interstates 81, 84, 380 and 476 in Dunmore to a tiny speck on the map called Whites Crossing where it meets up with Business Route 6 in Carbondale Township. In April 1994 ground was broken for its construction. It was finally completed and officially opened for use in September 1999 (actually about a year ahead of schedule, but not under budget).

For years it existed on planning maps as the “Lackawanna Valley Industrial Highway” only to be renamed in honor of Scranton's native governor, Robert P. Casey (the man who helped make it a reality), just months before the dedication ceremony. Following an alignment along the eastern tier of the Lackawanna River Valley, it crosses seven municipalities and now fulfills the long-awaited promise of better mobility within the valley, provides greater access to northeast PA's regional expressway network, and greatly relieves traffic congestion along Business Route 6 (otherwise known as the Scranton-Carbondale Highway), as well as several other local streets and river crossings.

According to PennDOT, about 17,000 cars and trucks use the Casey Highway between the Throop and Jessup exits every day. During it's 5-year long construction there was a popular one-line joke going around the area about the new and improved journey from Scranton to Carbondale: “It's no longer an overnight trip!”

This cache consists only of a small container and a logbook so no trading is necessary, but you must bring a copy of this cache description page (so that you can answer the questions) and a pen/pencil for entering your name and the date in the logbook. Kindly replace the cache container exactly as you found it so others can experience the cache hunt as it was intended, and no spoilers in the Web logs! Most of all ... please be considerate. Thank you.

The history of the Lackawanna River Valley is coal ... anthracite coal, dug from the ground. The posted coordinates will take you to a windswept scenic overlook, where the often-barren landscape of the Lackawanna Valley still reflects this colorful past. There you will find a small interpretive exhibit. The coordinates to the main cache are determined by finding the correct answers to four simple questions that follow.

Question #1: The drawing depicting the path of the Carbondale Railroad against a profile of Moosic Mountain is from what year?

Answer: ABCD

Question #2: How many different methods were used to mine for coal in the valley?

Answer: E

Question #3: What was the difference in elevation (in feet) between Honesdale and Kingston?

Answer: FGH

Question #4: How many steam engine houses (final total) was the railroad configured with?

Answer: IJ

Good luck, enjoy the ride and the scenery ... and make sure to have some fun!

Warning!!! EXTREMELY HIGH MUGGLE AREA! Please be discreet when signing the log and returning the container to its hiding spot. I can assure you that people WILL investigate what you're up to after you leave.

~Rich in NEPA~