Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area announces $6.5 Million infrastructure investment to overhaul a main thoroughfare

With funds from the Great American Outdoors Act National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund, much needed repairs will begin on US209 in 2022.

NPS Photo / M. Cuff

Great American Outdoors Act project to revitalize seven miles of US Route 209 in 2022   

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area announced that it has received $21 million from the Great American Outdoor Act’s National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund to make substantial, and much-needed, repairs to 14 miles of US Route 209 over the next 2 years. The project will address one of the largest and most expensive infrastructure needs in the park and will take place in 2 phases. The first phase of construction is set to take place on the southernmost 7 miles of US Route 209, between Mile Markers 0 and 7 and will begin March 7, 2022.

Project At-a-Glance: Work will include milling the existing pavement, conducting full depth patch repair and spot base repair, culvert replacement, reconstruction of shoulders and line striping on the most heavily used road in the park.

What are the Benefits: The repair of the road surface, subsurface and drainage systems will extend the life of the road, eliminate the ongoing cost of frequent patching of potholes and other temporary corrective measures, and improve safety for motorists and bicyclists, including correction of steep drop-offs on the road shoulder. 

Project Details*Anticipated Start Date for Phase 1 (Mile Marker 0 to Mile Marker 7): Preliminary work will begin March 7, 2022

*Anticipated Completion for Phase 1: December 2022

Project Costs for Phase 1: Approximately $6.5 million

Phase 2: The second phase of the project includes repairs to US Route 209 between mile marker 13.7 in Delaware Township and mile marker 20.2 in Dingman Township. Preliminary work is underway, and the construction phase will take place in 2023.

Visitor impact: Impacts on the public, including traffic impacts, will be available as construction plans are refined prior to beginning work.

Project Purpose and Goals: When completed, this road project will modernize a vital piece of the park’s infrastructure and enhance safety and access for the millions of people who visit the park each year and for the residents, commuters, and our own employees who use this road each day.

Current Status: The contract for the first phase of construction was awarded in September 2021. Preliminary work including surveying and staging of equipment and materials will begin March 7. Full-scale construction is expected to begin later in the spring of 2022. Schedules will be announced when they are available.

For More Information: Contact Kathleen Sandt, Public Affairs Specialist at 570-234-9144, or William Tayge, Roads and Trails Supervisor at 570-828-8001.

*These are estimations and subject to change