Graffiti Highway (Centralia) to be closed by owners

An abandoned portion of Route 61 commonly known as Graffiti Highway will be a thing of the past in Centralia, according to a borough official.

Tom Hynoski, the secretary, fire chief and EMA director for Centralia, confirmed on Monday that the popular tourist destination is being covered with dirt by land owner Pagnotti Enterprises. The project is expected to be be finished within three days.

“They got sick of the complaints and the liability,” said Hynoski. “People steal stuff, they spray paint in the cemetery, it’s about time something gets done.”



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CENTRALIA — Misbehavior among some members of the public during the coronavirus outbreak has led to the transformation of a popular tourist attraction.

Fox Coal Company began a three-day project today to cover "Graffiti Highway" with dirt before planting trees and grass after groups of people routinely visited the location to congregate despite federal guidelines to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.

The road has been closed to traffic since December 1993.

Fox Coal Company, owned by Vince Guarna, was hired to perform the work on behalf of Pagnotti Enterprises, of Wilkes-Barre, which owns the property.

Guarna said when his crew arrived Monday morning, 50 people had already gathered at the landmark. State police provided security during Monday's construction work.