DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA – Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area announced today that 2022 commercial vehicle permits for US Route 209 are be available for purchase by qualifying commercial vehicle operators.
“Typically, commercial vehicles are prohibited from using roads in national park areas, however, through special legislation, we are able to issue permits to qualifying commercial vehicles for the purpose of travelling through the park on US Route 209,” said fee program manager Elizabeth Winslow.
The previous legislation, PL 115-101, that allowed for this exception to the general prohibition went into effect in 2018 and expired on September 30, 2021. A one-year extension to that legislation was passed as part of the federal appropriations bill on March 17, 2022; that extension expires on September 30, 2022.
The extension makes no changes to PL 115-101, other than the expiration date. Under the law, commercial vehicles are eligible for a permit if they have four or fewer axles and are:
- Owned and operated by a business located in the recreation area or one or more of the adjacent municipalities, or
- Necessary to provide services to businesses or persons located in the recreation area or one or more such municipalities to utilize US Route 209 provided they purchase an annual permit.
The adjacent municipalities are defined by law as: Delaware Township, Dingman Township, Lehman Township, Matamoras Borough, Middle Smithfield Township, Milford Borough, Milford Township, Smithfield Township, and Westfall Township in Pennsylvania.
Commercial vehicles are defined as those vehicles that are registered commercially or are used for the purpose of transporting movable property for a fee or profit, either as a direct charge to another person, or otherwise; used as an incident to the provision of services to another person; or used in connection with any business. Vehicles may be, but do not have to be, registered as commercial to be considered a commercial vehicle under the law. Other commercial vehicles, including all tractor trailers, are prohibited and only commercial vehicles with a valid permit are allowed to use the roadway.
The cost of a 2022 permit, as outlined in the legislation, is $200 per qualifying vehicle. Permits are not transferrable and expire on September 30, 2022. All revenue received from permits is used for the administration and enforcement of the program.
All commercial vehicles may travel on US Route 209 between the following points without a permit:
- between Milford and the Delaware River toll bridge leading to US Route 206 /New Jersey and
- between Mile 0 of US Route 209 to Pennsylvania State Route 2001 (at Bushkill Falls Road).
Additionally, local school buses and fire, ambulance, and other safety and emergency vehicles may use US Route 209 without a fee or permit.
How do I purchase a permit?
Complete the application form and submit it with your payment by mail or in person. Applications are available online at www.nps/dewa/planyourvisit/fees.htm or they can be picked up at Park Headquarters. Park Headquarters will be open to the public 7 days per week from 9 am to 4 pm, beginning May 14, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. beginning May 20. Park Headquarters is closed on federal holidays.
Mail completed forms with payment to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Attn: Commercial Vehicle Permits, 1978 River Road, PO Box 2, Bushkill, PA, 18324 or submit your application and payment in person at Park Headquarters during business hours. Payment may be made by cash, check, or credit card.
