Plans to renovate the Switchback Railway trail, which connects Summit Hill with Jim Thorpe, are moving forward.

On Thursday, the Carbon County Commissioners approved a contract with Stoney Lonesome Excavating of Summit Hill for the reconstructing of a portion of the Switchback Railway. The $9,750 contract includes repairs to drainage pipes and swales, regrading and compacting the trail.Commissioner William O'Gurek said that work will start at the upper end of the trail, where Stoney Lonesome Road ends and the dirt trail begins. The company will complete as much of the trail as the budget allows.Work is expected to begin in the near future based on the company's schedule and the weather.Once completed, the commissioners said the trail will be "nicer and safer.""People walk and bike and jog and it's just dangerous with ruts," O'Gurek said. "We want to make it as we talked about in the past - as part of the trail system and part of the amenities that we have to offer here in Carbon County."We hope that eventually we will have that trail back to real good use for people who either camp or just to visit so that they have another thing to do while here in Carbon County's natural resources.The project is being funded through Act 13 funds that the county receives for projects like this.The commissioners began looking to improve the trail in July.At the time, they said that parts of trail, which is the former Switchback Gravity Railroad have deteriorated significantly and were in major need of repairs.The Switchback trail is a popular destination that provides hikers and bikers a view of history as it climbs the mountain from Jim Thorpe to Summit Hill.According to the Carbon County website, "the Switchback trail follows the route of the former Switchback Gravity Railroad and can be accessed near the main entrance to the park. The trail is designated for hiking and biking. Hikers of all ages will enjoy the uneven-aged forest tract below the dam where towering hemlocks, white pines and American beech dominate the overstory."The shaded trail runs parallel to the Mauch Chunk Creek and provides easy access for fishing. Mountain bikers enjoy the trail as it leads to Mount Pisgah where there is a magnificent overlook of the Lehigh Gorge State Park."