MONROE COUNTY, PA -- U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that work to reopen Route 611 in Monroe County, PA, began August 14 after the National Park Service (NPS) approved the PA Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) special use permit application last week.

The project is expected to take eight to ten weeks to complete, with the installation of a temporary, free-standing rockfall barrier to allow two-way traffic while a more permanent solution is developed.

PennDOT’s contractor planned to start moving barriers and other safety equipment into the area, with roadway grading, realignment, and installation of metal posts, concrete barriers, and protective chain-link fencing to follow..

Cartwright commended the teamwork between government levels and thanked PA Sen. Rosemary Brown, PA Rep. Tarah Probst, and other offices for expediting the necessary repairs.

Route 611 has remained closed since a rockslide in December 2022, and the reopening has faced challenges because of statutory limitations. Meetings between agencies and elected officials in the region worked out a strategy to provide relief for the area, Cartwright said.