By Elissa Garofalo • Executive Director, D & L National Heritage Corridor
It’s been quite a summer! In August alone, the Mansion House Bridge and Lock 1 Trail Connector at Jim Thorpe opened and a quarter-mile of newly resurfaced and signed trail were completed in Tullytown. Additionally, in June we celebrated the opening of the CSX Tunnel and Tyburn Road Bypass in Delaware Canal State Park. The weeks in between were marked with the non-stop advocacy to close the remaining Lehigh Valley and Luzerne County gaps. With all that, I think you’ll agree, we had a summer crammed with progress.
All told, the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, along with various project partners, raised $7,677,490 to complete construction of 1.5 miles of trail over and along the Lehigh River, under the CSX Railroad, and along a busy commercial route. In addition, $1,437,593 was obtained for related design and engineering costs.
Key to connecting all 165 miles of the D&L Trail is the extensive support from partners, members, and donors. By tapping the National Park Service, PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, and the William Penn Foundation, investment of scarce local resources from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Carbon County Hotel Tax, and Tullytown Borough (to name a few) are kept low.
In the end, it is the results that count! The true value of the D&L Trail is obvious as residents and visitors get out and experience it for themselves. Each step is made possible by the inspired connections being made by the D&L organization.
As a friend of the D&L Trail, please consider becoming a member of the D&L organization. Everyone who has ever ridden the Lehigh Gorge, crossed the Mansion House Bridge, used the towpath in Allentown, Bethlehem or Easton, traveled the Delaware Canal Towpath or passed through the CSX Tunnel, benefits from the time, talent, and treasure the D&L brings to your backyard. Help us make more connections possible. Visit us at https://delawareandlehigh.org
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