BUSHKILL – The reopening of a damaged section of U.S. Route 209 through the park is just a few weeks away. 

“We recognize that this section of 209 is a busy route that is used regularly by commuters, local residents, and park visitors”, said Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Superintendent John Donahue.   “That’s why completion of this project has been a top priority for park managers and the Federal Highway Administration.” 

According to Donahue, the project is running on schedule and should be completed by the end of this month. 

A section of Route 209 between PA Route 739 and U.S. Route 206 was closed in October 2011 after Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) engineers determined that the road was unsafe for motor vehicles due to significant road failure.    Since that time, the road has been closed and a detour has been in effect between Dingmans Ferry and Milford, PA.    The failure involved a 150-yard segment of the road at Mile Marker15.3, about two miles north of PA 739. The embankment on the east side of the road slumped  and dropped approximately eight vertical feet taking a section of the Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail with it; the pavement separated  and dropped by approximately six inches in some places– evidenced by large cracks in the road surface; and large voids developed under the pavement.

The $4.3M project, funded through the FWHA’s Emergency Repair of Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program, includes installation of a 600’ retaining wall and earthen anchors, upgraded drainage, roadway reconstruction, and repair of the McDade Trail. Work is being completed by G.A. & F.C. Wagman, Inc., from York, PA.