In the News

Plans to reopen a stretch of Route 611 that has been closed since a December 2022 rockslide are moving forward.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08), along with PA State Senator Rosemary Brown and PA State Representative Tarah Probst, announced Friday that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the National Park Service have reached a compromise when it comes to reopening Route 611 within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, according to a news release from Cartwright's office.

PennDOT officials said they expect it will take roughly eight to ten weeks to complete the project and get traffic flowing once permits are finalized. NPS confirmed the permitting process would be expedited because the project is temporary and not directly impacting resources, Cartwright's office says.

Cartwright's office says the agreed-upon plans include the installation of a temporary, free-standing rockfall barrier. This compromise, both agencies agree, will allow two-way traffic to flow while they continue working behind-the-scenes on a more permanent solution, according to the news release.

Route 611 in the Delaware Water Gap area has remained closed after heavy rains led to a rockslide along Mount Minsi in December of 2022. When re-opening the road hit an impasse due to statuary limitations faced by NPS and PennDOT, Cartwright convened the multi-level meetings between the agencies and elected officials in the affected region, according to the news release.

“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. “I am grateful for the partnership with Senator Rosemary Brown and Representative Tarah Probst’s offices, and the multi-level collaboration with National Parks, PennDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and so many community officials who continued to show up and advocate for a solution.”