News Release

Bushkill Bridge Repairs on US Route 209 in National Recreation Area

Date: October 15, 2021
Contact: Chiara Palazzolo, [phone]

BUSHKILL, PA: The National Park Service bridge repair project on US Route 209 has necessitated the closure of a section of the McDade Trail between the Bushkill Access and Bushkill Village trailheads to ensure public safety. The contractor is currently working on the Bushkill bridge approaches and bridge deck, and this work has reduced the available space for passage. The ongoing construction on the bridge is a safety concern for pedestrians and bicyclists. The McDade Trail section between Bushkill Access and Bushkill Village will be closed until all remaining bridge repairs are completed. This work is anticipated to be done by the end of November 2021.“We are in the final stretch of this important infrastructure improvement project and contractors are working hard to complete the remaining work by the end of November,” said Chiara Palazzolo, Project Manager. “Other sections of McDade Trail are open for hiking and biking while this section is closed". Specific timelines for each of the remaining project components are listed below but are subject to change. Updated information and timelines will be posted to the park’s website at www.nps.gov/dewa and on the park’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS as each new phase begins. Information about alternative access to the McDade Trail is also available on our website. 

• Work on the Conashaugh Creek Culvert, near mile post 16.5, is mostly completed but some recent erosion due to storm Ida, has precipitated the need for a modification to fix eroded areas. This work is anticipated to be completed by March 2, 2022. The southern entrance to  Zimmermann Road from US Route 209 will continue to be closed, however the north entrance to Zimmermann Road remains open.
• Repairs to the Toms Creek Bridge, near mile post 4.7, are scheduled to be completed by end of November 2021.
• Most of the work at Adams Creek Bridge, near mile post 14.2, is completed but some additional items remain and are anticipated to be completed by end of November 2021.
• Repairs to the Bushkill Creek Bridge, near mile post 1.2, are anticipated to be completed  by end of November 2021.

Motorists can expect minor delays due to heavy equipment maneuvering in the work zone and single-lane closures with construction traffic lights during work on Route 209. We will make every effort to minimize delays while also ensuring the safety of the traveling public and those doing the work.

This project is administered by Federal Highway Administration (FHA) in cooperation with the National Park Service and is  funded with Federal Lands to Parks (FLP) funds. The work is being done under contract by Central Southern Construction CO. Inc., from Jacksonville, Florida.For more information on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, call [phone]; visit our website at www.nps.gov/dewa; or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS.

-NPS-