Construction began immediately after the 10 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony on the Lehighton section of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor trail.

Under the 85 degree sun, Lehighton borough council members, D & L Trail board members, engineers and trail users had the opportunity to look at the future plans for the trail’s connectivity project. Elissa Garofalo, president and executive director for the corridor explained the three upcoming projects scheduled in the county to connect the 165 miles of trail running through Carbon and beyond.“This is the first of three major projects to make Carbon the first of five counties with fully connected trail. The second step is the pedestrian bridge in Jim Thorpe and the third will be to connect the new bridge to the tow path in Weissport,” she said.The $385,000 project includes:• Connection of the D&L Trail from Bridge Street to the “share the road” section of Lehigh Drive in Lehighton with the installation of an ADA compatible trail connection behind Red Castle Brewery.• Installation of a pedestrian crossing at Route 895 and Riverview Road in East Penn Township. This work will also include and ADA compatible approach to the D&L Trailhead at Marvin Gardens.•”Share the road” signs from the Route 895 pedestrian crossing to the D&L East Penn Boat Launch Trailhead along Riverview Road in East Penn Township.Garofalo said the pedestrian bridge project is set to be out for bid in November with construction beginning next year.“We’re here making history just like Josiah White,” said Garofalo. “It’s remarkable knowing we share the same historic path way that carried coal and iron,” said D & L Chairman Nick Forte.Garofalo said 122 directional markers will be added along the way, “Like little breadcrumbs so folks can find there way along the path.”Garofalo said funding for the project came from multiple sources:PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, William Penn Foundation and matching funds from the construction of the new PA Turnpike Bridge in Parryville.Carbon County will be the first of the five counties in which the 165-mile long runs to be completed in its entirety.“Not only will it improve the community’s quality of life but the economic growth as well,” she said.Garofalo said the trail has created at least 3,323 jobs and an estimated $238.7 million has been generated by the trial along with $22.4 million in tax revenue.Garofalo gave credit to the Lehighton Borough Council for helping make the location of the trail connection possible.“Borough Manager Nicole Beckett and Council President Grant Hunsicker were lynch pins in making the trail area here,” she said.She also singled out the county commissioners for helping sponsor the project.“There is an economic reason for this. Many of us are aware of the economic impact in Jim Thorpe from the bikers and tourist but we have something special here in Lehighton,” said Jerry McAward.He spoke of his plans for the future Lehighton Outdoor Center which will serve as the home of his businesses, Jim Thorpe River Adventures and Northeast PAKayak School.“When I first came here in 1974 I was invited by the Fogals. The river brought me here and kept me here. I looked at this site seven years ago and came up with plan. I bought the eight acres and sat with Nicole Beckett two years ago to talk about how I envisioned this thing,” he said.“We expect to cater to and enhance the D & L visitors experience. We are very happy to be a part of this corridor.” he said.Lorne Possinger, recreation and conservation manager for the DCNR spoke about the vision the Pennsylvania department has been developing.“It is a strategic vision for the trails and we hope to have a trail with in 15 minutes for all residents. Part of our mission at the DCNR is to provide help with maintaining the trail,” Possinger said. “The longer and more connected these trails are the more money it will generate,” he said.Garofalo said the properties along the trail will remain locally owned.“We depend on our volunteers to help sustain the trail as we move forward.”Project engineer and manager Gene Chabak of the Wilson Consulting Group gave illustrated details to the audience on the trail’s connection construction.“A lot of work went into working with the property owners. There are 30 plan sheets that cover the construction,” said Chabak.The engineer said a solar powered traffic signal will be added to the trail on RT. 895 near Slatington and East Penn to create a safer crossing.Long time trail bike rider John Cool traveled the trail to the ground breaking early Wednesday morning.“I love the trail. I’ve been riding it a long time and they keep adding on and I enjoy the benefits,” he said.Cool averages 35 to 45 miles of trail a day.“I love getting out and seeing nature. The connection will bring more safety to the trail.”Jay Mullikin is the vice president of Semmel Excavating Inc. of Allentown, the construction company hired to connect the trail. Mullikin said he will direct a crew of six to eight men over the course of the next two months to connect the trail in Lehighton and Weissport.“When I came out to bid the job I was impressed with the trail. I live in Little Gap so I’ll have to start using the trail.”His crew will start by clearing brush and then smooth out the sever bump in the trail near Weissport, “We will use that fill to create the switchback then we will pave and stone the shoulders. When that’s finished we will seed the area and add the signage and paint the lines,” he explained.Newest D & L Trail board member Sierra Fogal said she was excited to see the future construction.“It’s great to see the trail getting complete. Every piece getting completed is a win,” she said.Fogal, who often runs the trail said, “It’s just a great thing that we have in our backyard.”