By Patrick Robinson

The South Park Bridge was dedicated in an official ceremony on June 29 with dignitaries and fireworks, plus thousands of neighbors on hand for a Grand Opening Party. Traffic will take to the new span at 6 am Monday June 30 some four years, to the day that the former bridge closed and was later demolished.

The new bridge will carry 20,000 vehicles and nearly 3000 heavy duty trucks each day, transporting 10 million tons of freight each year, including aerospace parts for Boeing facilities located nearby.

The celebration included live music, local vendors, a beer garden a community parade and fireworks off the top of the opened bridge before the two halves were joined and people could cross.

They were led by King County Executive Dow Constantine his wife and child in a stroller.

Executive Dow Constantine, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, County Council Chair Larry Phillips, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark, Port of Seattle Commissioner Bill Bryant, and other local community leaders spoke to the crowd, expressed their gratitude to those who made it possible for the funding and to the community for their persistence and cooperation in getting the project completed.