Portion of Route 209 through Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to close temporarily on Feb. 27
DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA – US Route 209 within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will be closed between Route 739 and Raymondskill Road from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27 so that contractors can safely conduct geotechnical test borings under the road as part of the planning and design for major repairs and resurfacing happening in 2024.
The detour route includes Route 739. Milford Road, and Raymondskill Road.
The northern section of US Route 209, between mile markers 13 and 21, is scheduled for pavement replacement in 2024 with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). The 2 landslides at mile markers 14 and 17 have added an additional layer of complexity to the project.
“Before we proceed with the resurfacing project, we need to ensure that the road will be stable and to do that we are taking a close look at the area’s geology and hydrology,” said Eamon Leighty, Deputy Superintendent. “These test borings will help us understand what is under the road so that we can plan accordingly.”
Mile markers 0-7 of US Route 209 were resurfaced in 2022 with funding from the Great American Outdoors Act. Passed in 2020, GAOA provides funding to improve infrastructure and expand recreation opportunities in national parks and other public lands.
The legislation established the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund and guaranteed permanent funding for the existing Land and Water Conservation Fund.
