A gap in the Delaware and Lehigh Canal trail might soon be filled.

Carbon County has been approved for $2 million for the installation of a prefabricated pedestrian bridge across the Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe.This bridge will connect the 60 miles of D&L Trail north in Carbon and Luzerne counties to the 105 miles of D&L Trail in Northampton, Lehigh and Bucks County. If all goes as planned, the bridge would be completed in late 2016."This is a golden spike moment," said Elissa Garofalo, president and executive director of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.The footbridge project is one of 56 projects to improve transportation alternatives using federal funds, said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation secretary Barry J. Schoch.It is the only Carbon County project included in the $33 million funding package.Two projects were approved for Lehigh County: $215,939 to install bike lanes and complete sidewalks to connect schools and recreational facilities within a residential area in Salisbury Township and $449,000 for construction of phase one of the Jordan Greenway Trail and pedestrian bridge in Whitehall.Garofalo said, "With the $2 million award to Carbon County, the D&L will be able to connect 36 miles of the D&L Trail north to 90 miles south to the Lehigh Valley. The Wyoming, Lehigh and Delaware valleys and all five counties of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor will be linked. When the bridge at Jim Thorpe is complete, the D&L Trail becomes a multiday destination."$3.1 million projectThe pedestrian bridge has been in the planning stage for years.Garofalo said she received excellent cooperation from the Carbon County Commissioners in working toward the span.It will be 250 feet in length with through truss design using oxidizing steel and a wooden deck.The total cost of the project is $3.1 million, with $1 million obtained from the Federal Highway Administration through PennDOT District 5-0.The $2 million announced on Monday is from "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century," the 2012 federal transportation authorization act known as MAP-21, which introduced fundamental changes to the administration of local programs. Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, Scenic Byways and the Recreational Trails Program are now consolidated into the Transportation Alternatives Program.Schoch said PennDOT criteria included safety benefits, reasonableness of cost, readiness for implementation, statewide or regional significance, integration of land use and transportation decision making, collaboration with stakeholders, and leverage of other projects or funding.A part of historyThe local part of the trail has historical significance. The original Lehigh Canal was built by Josiah White as a means of transporting coal from the Panther Valley to markets in Philadelphia.The tow path of the canal has become part of the D&L National Heritage Corridor and is a major hiking and biking trail in the region.In Jim Thorpe, part of the trail is on the west side of the river and then it splits to the right side of the river. The footbridge will allow those hiking and biking on the trail to continue on their activities without interruption.State Sen. John Yudichak said, "The tourism and recreation industry are the primary drivers of Carbon County's economy, and the completion of the D&L Trail will only serve to increase the positive impact outdoor recreation has on our region. I am thrilled that we will finally be able to connect our historic Jim Thorpe business district to the entire 165 miles of the D&L Trail."Carbon County Commissioner William O'Gurek said, "When the footbridge becomes a reality it will provide the key link in accessing downtown Jim Thorpe and the many beautiful recreational amenities that run through Carbon County."Initially, the county had secured the funding for the project, but it was taken back by the state when it revamped its transportation priorities.