On Saturday, May 3, Mayor Dean officiated at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Greenway Bridge across the Cumberland River. This was a landmark event since this is a one of a kind construction and it creates a critical link in the 22 mile greenway and bikeway system from J. Percy Priest Dam and Recreation Area to Metro Center, connecting the Stones River and Shelby Bottoms greenways as well as the Donelson and East Nashville communities.

The bridge project actually announced about 7 years ago by then Mayor, Bill Purcell and Governor Don Sunquist. The total cost of the bridge was $8 million and was funded by federal, state and local dollars as well as from various grants and private donations. The bridge is 700 feet long with a clear span over the river of 430 feet. It is 80 feet above normal pool for the river. The spiral mound on the east side was created by cut and fill with the cut forming a wildlife/shore bird pond and the fill forming the mound. The tunnels were built by TDOT for this project as part of the Briley Parkway/Two Rivers improvements.

The views are beautiful and I would encourage everyone who is able to take the time to at least walk to the other side of the bridge. Parking is available in the Wave Pool parking lot which is located off Two Rivers Parkway.

Other photos of the event are available for viewing by clicking on the “photo gallery” link.