A ribbon cutting will be held this week to mark the opening of the recently reconstructed Greeley Avenue Bridge.

The City of Salina will host the event at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 28th in the Waters True Value Parking lot next to the bridge.

Following brief comments, the bridge will be closed to traffic for a few minutes for the ribbon cutting. The event is expected to conclude by 8:45 a.m.

The public is invited to attend. Guests may park in the Waters True Value parking lot east of the store. Because the ceremony is expected to be brief, seating and refreshments will not be provided.

Due to the deteriorating condition of the previous structure, it was closed to vehicle traffic in late November 2012 but remained open for pedestrians. The new bridge was designed and inspected by Kaw Valley Engineering, Inc. of Salina, and the bridge was built by King Construction Inc. of Hesston. It includes an eight foot wide sidewalk, brick pilasters, decorative fence, and lighting similar to the bridge into Lakewood Park from Iron Avenue. The haunched slab bridge also features colored and stamped concrete abutments and wing walls, which will enhance the view for future river and pedestrian traffic under the bridge.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) provided 80 percent of the $480,000 construction cost. The new bridge was opened to the traveling public on July 1st.

The event will be held rain or shine.