NESQUEHONING — Emergency repairs are underway on U.S. 209 in Carbon County after a wall supporting the roadway collapsed Saturday, closing the highway and an adjacent railroad line from a rock slide. PennDOT estimates the road could remain closed for six to eight weeks.
U.S. 209 Closure and Posted Detour
U.S. 209 remains closed between Route 903 and Route 93 in Nesquehoning Borough. The posted detour uses Route 443, Route 309 and U.S. 209.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said the six-to-eight-week reopening timeline is an estimate and could change. Repairs needed to reopen the adjacent railroad line are expected to be completed sooner, although that timeline also remains tentative.
Emergency Repairs Continuing Around the Clock
Crews began work Sunday morning. PennDOT said repair operations will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until the work is completed.
The collapse undermined the roadway, prompting PennDOT to mobilize department personnel and several contractors to assess the damage and develop a repair plan.
J.D. Eckman, Inc., of Atglen, is serving as the prime contractor. Equipment has been brought to the site, and emergency work includes:
- Stabilizing the existing wall.
- Removing fallen rock.
- Rebuilding the collapsed section of wall.
- Repairing the roadway.