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Route 611 in the Delaware Water Gap is set to reopen following a rock slide that occurred nearly two years ago. The reopening is the result of an agreement between the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the National Park Service, and local Indian tribes. The agreement allows for the installation of a temporary rock barrier along the highway to ensure the safety of motorists.
The road has been closed since December 2022, causing significant disruption to local businesses and residents. The closure has been described as an 'unbelievable bureaucratic snafu' by Congressman Matt Cartwright, who has been instrumental in facilitating discussions between the involved parties.
"In my ongoing meetings with PennDOT, the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration - along with national, state and local public officials - we were able to find common ground that included prioritizing the opening of the road to traffic while keeping motorists safe,” Cartwright said.
PennDOT officials estimate that it will take approximately eight to ten weeks to complete the project and reopen the road to traffic once permits are finalized. However, a permanent solution to prevent future rock slides and ensure the long-term safety of the road is still under discussion and is expected to take several years to finalize.