Preparations are being made to begin a major reconstruction project of Route 209 between Jim Thorpe and Lehighton. The funding is being provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The contractor, Hanson Aggregates, has not set an exact time-table for the $1.7 million construction project. PennDOT officials report additional projects will soon begin across Schuylkill, Carbon and Monroe counties. The replacement of the Route 903 bridge in Jim Thorpe is a high priority.