Barryville, NY – A Delaware River fishing access along Route 97 between Barryville and the historic Roebling Bridge will be closed for construction starting October 3, 2022, continuing in to spring 2023.
Route 97 itself will remain open while the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) access site – known as The Highland Access – is closed to the public.
“This is part of a larger, ongoing effort to restore and enhance access points all along Sullivan County’s portion of the Upper Delaware River,” explained Freda Eisenberg, commissioner of the County’s Division of Planning & Community Development. “My team has diligently worked to secure support to protect and enhance one of our most popular natural resources, and we are excited about work beginning at this key access area.”
Over the course of the next few months, The Highland Access will be reconstructed by restoring native plants and installing bioswales (a combination of a rain garden and a ditch) and pervious pavement that will absorb stormwater runoff better than standard asphalt. The access itself will be replaced with a more gently sloping and stabilized path. Signage with educational information about the on-site best management practices will be added in order to encourage visitors to explore similar best practices on their own properties.
The local share of costs will be borne by the County, with in-kind services also coming from the Town of Highland, the NYS Department of Transportation, the DEC and the National Park Service. The value of those contributions amounts to $305,345. A $250,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund, and $100,000 from New York State brings the total project to $655,345.
“The Delaware River is a precious asset, one that we cannot take for granted,” remarked District 2 Legislator Nadia Rajsz, who represents the Barryville area on the Sullivan County Legislature and is a member of the Upper Delaware Council. “The restored Highland Access Point will serve both the environment and the public for years to come, and I thank our planners, our partners and our funding sources for devoting so much time and assistance to this important effort.”
“This project is a visible demonstration of the Legislature’s commitment to enhancing both the quality of life for our residents and the region’s appeal for our guests,” noted Legislature Chairman Robert A. Doherty. “The Delaware is one of our crown jewels, and the County will continue to invest in making it ever more attractive to the public.”