The American Parkway Bridge opens to traffic late this afternoon. 

Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Congressman Charlie Dent, members of city council and PennDOT and federal and state government representatives cut the ribbon on the four lane, $32m bridge this morning than connects the East Side to Center City.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs mascot Ferrous and Lehigh Valley Phantoms mascot meLVin made the first ceremonial crossing in separate convertibles and high fived each other in the middle of the nearly one mile bridge.

The bridge was constructed by New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. Inc.  Construction began in late 2012.  Completion was delayed by fractured rock found beneath the bed of the Lehigh River.

Pedestrian sidewalk is located on the south side of the bridge.

Motorists may experience periodic lanes closures in the coming weeks as construction crews wrap-up work on the bridge and approaching roadways.

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