CARBON COUNTY, Pa. — During peak tourism season, the Jim Thorpe pedestrian bridge is a popular stop. Now a gate is up keeping people out.
"Oh, it is so sad. There are so many beautiful sights you can see walking down the trail and we can't do it," said Karen Lomanto of New York.
The bridge is closed because it's an access point to the D&L trail. A portion of the 3.5 mile stretch from Jim Thorpe to Weissport has been under construction since February.
"The projects are two spillways or wooden bridges that were becoming unsafe, so they went to redo the spillways and put in new crossings," said Ty Poole with the Lehigh Canal Recreation Commission.
Officials with the Lehigh Canal Recreation Commission say the project was estimated to be done back in the spring, but construction issues delayed it.
"There became an issue with a water line that feeds several communities and two hospitals, so they had to protect and maintain the water line, which delayed the process until we could figure all of that out," explained Poole.
The trail also cuts through Lehighton where you'll find the Lehighton Outdoor Center. Owner Jerry McAward says the closure has pumped the brakes on business.
"Our bike rental business is practically dead, we rent a few a week like three, two instead of 70-100 so there is a lot of impact, also to the pizzeria's and restaurants," explained McAward.
Trail officials say they want the gates open as badly as everyone else, but while construction is going on, safety is a priority.
"It's imperative that people stay out of here. Contractors could stop working, and then that will delay our project even longer. We ask everyone's cooperation to stay out of the work zone," said Poole.
"It's going to be beautiful when it's done; I encourage people to wait. Give the construction workers and canal commission a chance to do it right," said McAward.
No date has been set as to when this stretch of the D&L trail will reopen.