Rock slide closes Route 209 near Jim Thorpe, halting scenic train rides
The gist
A rock slide along Route 209 near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, closed the highway in both directions on Saturday.
The closure canceled Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway rides at peak fall foliage season.
How it unfolded
- Oct 31, 2026Shortly after 12:30 p.m., the road began buckling and a rock slide hit Route 209 between Jim Thorpe and Nesquehoning, with PennDOT and fire police on scene.
- Oct 31, 2026The highway was closed in both directions from Route 903 to Route 93, and the shoulder gave way, sending rocks onto a railroad track below.
- Oct 31, 2026Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway canceled all train rides for the day, citing unforeseen circumstances.