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So. Street Bridge opening Credit: Mirela Zaneva

After 23 months of construction, the South Street Bridge officially reopened to traffic and pedestrians on Saturday afternoon.

At the event, Philadelphia Mayor and Penn alumnus Michael Nutter said the opening marked “a new day” for the city. A ribbon-cutting ceremony along the width of the structure symbolized the final step in reconnecting University City and the Penn community to the eastern side of the Schuylkill River.

The $68-million project was completed a month ahead of schedule and on budget. Nutter estimated more than 30,000 people will use the bridge daily after Saturday’s reopening.

Clarena Tolson, commissioner of the Philadelphia Streets Department, said the “rebirth” of the South Street Bridge was the “largest project ever” for the department. The bridge was almost entirely reconstructed after 15 years of planning.

Chief bridge engineer Jack Lutz said the construction and design of the bridge was managed with the input of over a dozen area organizations that depend on the structure, including Penn.

Because a portion of the bridge is over the current eastward expansion of campus at Penn Park, Lutz said his division tried to accommodate most of Penn’s needs. Bridge workers collaborated with Penn Park crews and preserved the Hollenback Center, a Penn-owned edifice on the National Register of Historic Places.

Standing in front of an expansive view of Center City and honoring the effort of all who contributed to the bridge, State Rep. Babette Josephs said, “See that skyline? I rep it.” She added that the month-early completion of the bridge would allow for more transportation around the city for holiday shopping.

“This is a bridge to somewhere from somewhere,” Nutter declared. “And that somewhere is Philadelphia.”

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