Jim Thorpe Borough Council is hoping the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will throw a few dollars of work into Flagstaff Road to prepare for an influx of traffic starting later this year, thanks to a rock wall remediation project.

PennDOT unveiled its plans last week to remove loose rocks from Flagstaff Mountain between Jim Thorpe and Lehighton. The work will require the closure of Route 209, mostly during weekday business hours but also some evenings, for likely at least a four-month period.

Like it did when it removed rocks following a slide in October, PennDOT will route traffic to Route 903 to enter downtown Jim Thorpe from the east side of the borough, but Councilman Jay Miller is among those who know locals will gravitate toward a shorter route.

“The reality is people are going to use Flagstaff Road very heavily,” Miller said Thursday night. “It is not fit for heavy traffic, whether it be trucks or cars. There are no guide rails and the road itself is mediocre at best.”

Council will have a motion on its agenda next week to ask PennDOT to help get the road in a little better shape before the rock project starts.

Flagstaff Road does not belong to the state, meaning its upkeep is not the state’s responsibility.

Had PennDOT suggested a detour using the road, council feels that may have given them a bit more leverage in asking for help.

“They know what the reality is when it comes to how heavy that road is going to be used, and that is why they weren’t talking about it in the first place,” Miller said.

Meanwhile, Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency Vice President Michael Rivkin said he’s concerned that the closure of Route 209 is going to hurt downtown businesses.

“Ultimately, I’d like to see PennDOT promote using Flagstaff Road as a detour and put a base coat on to get the road in better shape,” Rivkin said. “I think if you make the detour too lengthy, it could impact the income for our businesses, and the small businesses here go month to month. We’re talking about a pretty lengthy project.”

PennDOT expects the project to begin sometime this year, after a right of way issue with the work area is resolved.