Press Releases

Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08), announced that the project to reopen Route 611 is nearing completion, with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) officials reporting the highway will be open to traffic on November 4^th.

"The long-awaited reopening of Route 611 is a perfect example of local, state and federal agencies and elected officials working together for the good of the community,” Cartwright said. “This was a group effort, and I want to thank Senator Rosemary Brown and Representative Tarah Probst along with officials from PennDOT, the National Park Service, the Federal Highway Administration, and the many elected and community officials who showed up for every meeting to advocate on behalf of their constituents.”

During Rep. Cartwright’s meeting with project stakeholders on Wednesday, PennDOT officials gave the following construction updates:

·  Concrete moment slab is complete

·  Electrical trenching is complete

·  The barrier is installed and anchored

·  Traffic signal foundations are complete

·  Electrical work is being finalized, with transformer and power supply being hooked up this week

PennDOT’s contractor will attach the rock fence to the barrier on Monday, with final repaving of Route 611 from Waring Drive to Arrow Island Overlook scheduled for October 28^th with the road set to open to traffic on Monday, Nov. 4^th,  pending any adverse weather conditions.

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 the National Park Service and PennDOT, Rep. Cartwright convened the multi-level meetings between the agencies and elected officials in the affected region.

In July, Cartwright announced that PennDOT and NPS had reached a compromise for reopening Route 611, bringing much-needed relief to local businesses, residents and communities affected by the extended road closure.  

The agreed-upon plans include the installation of a temporary, free-standing rockfall barrier and traffic signal that will accommodate a single lane of traffic along the now-closed route. This compromise will allow traffic to flow while PennDOT and NPS continue working behind-the-scenes on a more permanent solution.

Elected officials and their staff members who participated in the meetings lead by Rep. Cartwright include U.S. Senator Robert Casey; U.S. Senator John Fetterman; U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild (PA-07); Pennsylvania State Senator Lisa Boscola (18); Pennsylvania State Senator Rosemary M. Brown (40); Pennsylvania State Representative Ann Flood (138); Pennsylvania State Representative Tarah Probst (189); Monroe County Commissioner President John Christy; Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure Mayor Larry Freshcorn, Delaware Water Gap Borough; Mayor Heather Fischer, Portland Borough; Supervisor Ed Cramer, Stroud Township; and Tara Mezzanotte, Upper Mount Bethel and Smithfield Townships PennDOT liaison.

Rep. Cartwright’s office will provide another Route 611 public update the week of October 28^th.