Route 209 commercial vehicle permits will be available July 9

BUSHKILL — Starting July 9, commercial drivers will be able to obtain a permit to take U.S. Route 209 through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
“Typically commercial vehicles are prohibited from national park areas," said Acting Superintendent Tom Ross. "However, through special legislation, we are now able to issue permits to qualifying commercial vehicles for the purpose of travelling through the park on Route 209."
This special exemption was made possible through the efforts of the Pike and Monroe County Commissioners and several township supervisors, with help from U.S. Representatives Tom Marino and Matt Cartwright, who sponsored the legislation.
In January, Congress passed the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Improvement Act, which allows, until Sept. 30, 2021, commercial vehicles with four or fewer axles that are:
Owned and operated by a business located in the recreation area or one or more of the adjacent municipalities;
Necessary to provide services to businesses or persons located in the recreation area, or one or more such municipalities.
Commercial vehicles that meet these criteria may use Route 209 as long as they buy an annual permit. The adjacent municipalities are: Delaware Township, Dingman Township, Lehman Township, Matamoras Borough, Middle Smithfield Township, Milford Borough, Milford Township, Smithfield Township, and Westfall Township in Pennsylvania.
"Ensuring that local business vehicles are able to travel on Route 209 through Monroe and Pike Counties is essential to providing services to residents and for local economic growth," said Senator Toomey in December.
How to get a permitThe permits are available for vehicles with four or fewer axles that are registered commercially or are used to transfer property for a fee or profit, to provide services, or used in connection with any business. All other commercial vehicles are prohibited.
Vehicles may be, but do not have to be, registered as commercial to be considered a commercial vehicle under the law.
Beginning in 2019, permits will cost $200 per year per vehicle, regardless of when during the year the permit is purchased. Permits are not transferable and will expire on Dec. 31 of each year.
The cost of a 2018 permit will be set at $100 for the rest of the year.
All revenue from the permits will be used to administer and enforce the program.
All commercial vehicles may travel on Route 209 between the following points without a permit:
Between Milford and the Delaware River toll bridge leading to US Route 206 /New Jersey
Between Mile 0 of US Route 209 to Pennsylvania State Route 2001 (at Bushkill Falls Road)
In addition, local school buses and fire, ambulance, and other safety and emergency vehicles may use US Route 209 without a fee or permit.
Completed application forms must be submitted with payment, either by mail or in person. Applications are available online at www.nps/dewa or can be picked up at park headquarters. Mail completed forms with payment to: Park Headquarters, Attn: Commercial Vehicle Permits, 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA, 18324; or submit your application and payment in person at Park Headquarters Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Credit cards will not be accepted. For additional information, call the park’s fee program manager, Johnny Carawan, at 570-426-2434; or email him at Johnny_Carawan@nps.gov.
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