Carbon County officials are voicing frustrations over how long the state is taking to issue permits for a proposed pedestrian bridge.

On Thursday, H. Scott Everett, Delaware and Lehigh Trail stewardship manager, reported to the commissioners about the progress of the bridge project, which will cross the Lehigh River at the entrance of Jim Thorpe near Turkey Hill.He said that all required paperwork has been submitted, but there are some issues with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's silence."We're still waiting on approvals," Everett said, noting that all paperwork and permits, such as the right-of-way permit that must still be approved by PennDOT, must be in place by March 24, 2016, so that the project can go out for bid and a contract be awarded before the $2 million PennDOT Transportation Alternative Program grant deadline."It would be nice to get updates on where things stand," he added.The right-of-way permit application that still needs to be approved is not complicated because everyone that would be impacted is a partner in the project and only minimal negotiations would need to take place."We just need the documentation approved by PennDOT and the signatures of all landowners involved. It's all pretty straightforward," Everett said.Commissioners' Chairman Wayne Nothstein asked if the project risks losing the grant if the deadline is not met.Everett said that the requirement is that the project contract must be awarded by November 2016 or yes, the funding may be in jeopardy.He said that if everything is done and the project is put out to bid on the March 24, 2016 deadline, PennDOT would be able to meet the deadline.Elissa Garofalo, president/executive director of the Delaware and Lehighton National Heritage Corridor, added that if permits were delayed, then the other dates would be delayed and that could possibly hurt the project funding."With having the short timeline on this money, it's imperative we get the approvals in a timely fashion," she said.Nothstein said he was frustrated by PennDOT's lack of movement on projects."When PennDOT wants something, they want it now, but when we want something it seems like they drag their feet," he said. "It's frustrating."He noted that this project has been in the works for approximately 10 years and funding for the bridge has been pulled once by the state because of timing issues."This is very important for economic development because it brings so many more people," Nothstein added. "It's brings a lot of tourism and will connect the lower end of the county with the upper end."Garofalo said that she will continue to be vigilant with contacting the state and area officials and said that a meeting with all parties may need to be assembled if things don't start moving soon.The pedestrian bridge project is one of the last remaining pieces that need to be finished to complete the 105-mile trail that weaves through Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, Luzerne and Bucks counties.The county has secured the $2 million PennDOT Transportation Alternative Program grant for the construction of the pedestrian bridge, which is expected to cost $3.1 million. In addition to the $2 million, $1.1 million had been awarded to the D&L National Heritage Corridor for the project through PennDOT; and an additional $350,000 was secured through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the design portion of the project.Everett said that construction would not take place during the spring and summer months, when the river is used by whitewater rafting.In a related matter, Everett said that the rest of the trail connectivity project is coming along nicely and parts will soon be completed.