A portion of the D & L Trail in Carbon County that has been closed since February has been the source of much talk lately, and county officials hope to help clear the air.

On Thursday, Commissioners’ Chairman Michael Sofranko said that he has heard much about the trail closure, which starts at the pedestrian bridge in Jim Thorpe and heads to Weissport, and noted that while the county does not have a part in the project, officials are willing to help the commission if needed.

He said that the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, which oversees the trail has been hitting roadblocks in the project that have delayed the trail being reopened to hikers and bikers.

The commission closed a portion of the trail between Weissport and Jim Thorpe in February to address two canal overflows that needed to be reconstructed.

The project was expected to be completed in the spring but work still remains.

Commissioners said it comes down to issues with the engineering work that was done for the project.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley has also joined in working to help get the project completed, Sofranko said.

In the meantime, the commissioners said the portion of trail remains closed to the public because of safety issues.

“The commission is as frustrated as everyone else and they are working extremely hard to try and get that trail open as soon as possible but obviously there is so much roadblocks there, in my eyes on a lot of engineering that was or was not done,” he said.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner, who initially said he would wait to make comments after National Trails Day, said that it is hurting not only visitors, but local residents and local businesses.

“It has not just an impact on people riding it, but it has an impact on the businesses,” he said, noting that Carbon County was integral in connecting the 100-plus mile trail. “Now it’s cut in half again.”

He added that he feels the engineers need to be held a little more accountable.

Sofranko said that the point her is that the “commission is working extremely hard and they’re taking a lot of heat for it, but they only follow the advice that was given to them to the people that they paid very well. So please take some of the heat off of them.”

National Trails Day

In related trail matters, with June 1 being National Trails Day, the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor will be celebrating at several spots along the trail on Saturday.

• White Haven Trout Festival along D & L Trail in White Haven (Mile 130): Celebrate the Lehigh River, trout fisheries, and the great outdoors in White Haven. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Lehigh Gorge State Park, Rockport D & L Trailhead (Mile 121): Representatives will be at the trailhead here from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to provide trail users with information about the D & L Trail, The National Canal Museum, and the historic connection to the region.

• Slatington D & L Trailhead (Mile 92): DLNHC will be set up at the turnaround point for the St. Luke’s Hospice Ride to provide information and water from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about DLNHC and all the programs that are offered.

• Route 33 Boat Launch D & L Trailhead (Mile 64): Refill your water bottles or grab some trail mix and trail maps from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• National Canal Museum, D & L Trail Spur (near Mile 61): The Museum will be open for business as usual. Come take a look at our newest exhibition and travel around the park.