FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact: Gretchen M. Wintermantel
November 15, 2005                                  202.225.6511                                              

Kanjorski Announces Extension of Commercial Traffic Allowance on Route 209 in Delaware National Water Gap

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that allows commercial truck traffic to continue on Route 209 in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area through 2015.

Congress passed a law in 1995 that allowed commercial traffic, which is normally banned from national parks, to pay a toll to travel on the stretch of Route 209 that runs through the Delaware Water Gap. At the time, it was expected that significant progress would be made on construction of other roads to alleviate some of the congestion. This law expired on Sept. 30, 2005, but a 30-day grace period was given to extend it to Nov. 1, 2005. Congressman Kanjorski and Congressman Don Sherwood (PA-10) introduced a bill to extend it on Sept. 8.

"The piece of legislation is particularly necessary because of the growth that this area has experienced over the last decade. In fact, this section of northeastern Pennsylvania has become one of the fastest growing areas in the state. With growth comes traffic congestion, and the roads in Monroe County are not able to handle the amount of commercial traffic that runs through that area to points north. H.R. 3721 will allow that to continue until the expected construction is completed," Congressman Kanjorski said.

The Senate needs to pass the bill and then it will go to the President to be signed into law.

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