WATCH: A project that once divided residents is now bringing the community together. Ceilidh Millar reports.
The opening of the new Johnson Street Bridge was a day many had been waiting for.
“I would like to call for the bridge to be lowered for the first official time,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps during the bridge unveiling ceremony this afternoon.
A ten year project, boiling down to ninety-seconds of anticipation as the bridge lowered into place.
More than 5,000 people gathered to make those first steps over the bridge, as the Capital City crosses over into the future.
“It’s brilliant and beautiful,” said one woman.
“It makes us look like a modern city,” explained another.
Today’s unveiling comes as a relief to those who have been part of the process since the beginning.
“You don’t really describe infrastructure as pretty,” Simmons explained. “You usually look for reliability and cost-effectiveness. We don’t know if it’s going to be reliable.”
The 94-year-old Blue Bridge was officially closed to pedestrians this afternoon.
The first vehicle is expected to cross the new Johnson Street Bridge at 9:00 p.m. on Friday.
Ceilidh Millar
