Funding for a footbridge across the Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe to connect the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Trail was approved today.

The $2 million project was among 56 to improve transportation alternatives that are in line for $33 million in federal funds, PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch announced today.

The installation of a prefabricated pedestrian bridge across the Lehigh River wlill connect the 60 miles of D&L Trail north in Carbon and Luzerne counties to the 105 miles of D&L Trail in Northampton, Lehigh and Bucks counties.