News Release

Route 209 Bridge Repairs Near Completion

Date: November 8, 2021
Contact: Chiara Palazzolo, [phone] x 16

BUSHKILL, PA: The National Park Service project to repair several bridges and a culvert on US Route 209 in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is nearing completion and is expected to be wrapped up soon. “We are in the final stretch of this important infrastructure improvement project and contractors are working hard to complete most of the remaining work by the end of November, with as little impact to motorists as possible,” said Chiara Palazzolo, Project Manager. 

The multi-phased infrastructure improvement project began in the spring and will enhance safety for motorists along this important and heavily traveled roadway when completed. Improvements included structure rehabilitation, preventative bridge maintenance, scour protection of structures, roadway pavement maintenance, culvert repairs, and guardrail installation at 4 locations: Bushkill Creek, Toms Creek, Adams Creek, and Conashaugh Creek. Project updates on each location are as follows:

Bushkill Creek Bridge: According to Palazzolo, “Motorists traveling on Route 209 through the Bushkill area will be pleased to learn that major construction on the Bushkill Creek bridge has been completed and the temporary traffic light that has been regulating traffic flow through the construction zone has been removed three weeks earlier than anticipated.” The section of the McDade Recreational Area that was closed on October 15 due to construction in the area will also reopen on Friday. Remaining work at the Bushkill Bridge, near milepost 1.2, includes line striping and installation of railings and pedestrian delineators and is expected to be completed toward the end of November. That work will take place primarily on the road shoulders and no lane closures or traffic control measures will be needed. The McDade Recreational Trail through the construction zone will be temporarily closed to protect workers and trail users while this work is completed. Information on the status of the trail will be posted to the park’s webpage and social media accounts at the links below. 

Toms Creek Bridge: Repairs to the Toms Creek bridge near milepost 4.7 on Route 209 are set to begin Monday, November 8. During this phase of construction, traffic will be detoured onto Egypt Mills Road, allowing for traffic to flow without the need for a traffic light or other traffic control measures. The detour is expected to be in place for about 3 days. The Toms Creek parking area will be used as a staging area for construction materials and both the parking lot and trail will be closed during this phase of the project. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of November.

Adams Creek Bridge: Most of the work at Adams Creek Bridge, near mile post 14.2, is completed but some additional items remain. All work there is anticipated to be completed by end of November 2021.

Conashaugh Creek Culvert: Work on the Conashaugh Creek Culvert, near mile post 16.5, is mostly completed but additional repairs need to be made due to erosion from storm Ida.  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.  

This project is administered by Federal Highway Administration (FHA) in cooperation with the National Park Service and funded with Federal Lands to Parks (FLP) funds. The work is being done under contract by Central Southern Construction CO. Inc., from Jacksonville, Florida.