Traffic could be flowing through the Delaware Water Gap on Route 611 as soon as Nov. 5, according to a social media post from a Monroe County lawmaker.
State Rep. Tarah Probst said Wednesday night that work has been progressing on the highway through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area since Aug. 21. PennDOT is putting up a temporary, free-standing rockfall barrier to allow a two-way flow of traffic.
Route 611 was closed between Upper Mount Bethel Township north of Portland and Delaware Water Gap Borough after heavy rains led to a rockslide along Mount Minsi in December 2022. After several months of talks between PennDOT and the National Park Service, the two agencies reached an agreement in July to begin repairs.
Probst reported that excavation and construction for the road and temporary signal foundation slabs are more than 80% complete. This part of the project is expected to be completed by the end of September.
Work for signals, including conduit trenching has also begun, while excavation will start around Sept. 26 along with installation of utility poles.
Work in October will focus on the signals and installing the temporary barrier and rock fencing.