A foot bridge that Carbon County employees use when parking above the administration building in Jim Thorpe will be getting a much-needed overhaul.

The board of commissioners agreed earlier this month to move forward with the pedestrian bridge rehabilitation project. The bridge, in its current state, has significant wear and tear, including a few cracks in the concrete, a small hole at the end of the bridge near the parking area and rusted beams.

“As you see, the bridge is in much needed repair,” said Commissioners’ Chairman Mike Sofranko.

The board noted that this is not a bridge replacement, but a refurbishing of the current bridge to make it safe for people using it.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner said the beams will be sandblasted and painted, the decking will be redone and spots on the railing that are in need of repairs will be repaired.

He added that this is the main entrance for employees who work in the administration building, and said that an alternate entrance for these employees may include walking down the hill and entering through the front of the building until work is complete.

The board did not have a time frame on when the project will receive bids and did not have a cost estimate for the work at this time as discussions, as well as fact-finding, still need to take place before bid specs are sent out.

This is the second time the bridge has been rehabilitated, with the last project being completed in approximately 2002, the commissioners said.