The rebuild of the College Avenue bridge in Appleton has been completed and the new, wider bridge will open officially on Friday at 5 pm. There is a big program of events beginning at 2 pm to celebrate the opening. Fox 11 News gives the agenda:

College Avenue Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
AGENDA
(Appleton Mayor Timothy Hanna - Master of Ceremonies)
2 p.m. - American Legion Post No. 38 Color Guard leads the West High Band marching from the west end of the bridge to the center of the bridge (playing West High School song)

* VFW Color Guard leads the East High Band marching from the east end of the bridge to the center of the bridge (playing East High School song)
* Drum cadence
* Presentation of colors
* “National Anthem” performed by both bands
* “Pledge of Allegiance” given by members of the Edison and Richmond Elementary School safety patrols

2:15 p.m. - Speakers and special guests introduced by Mayor Hanna

* Alderperson Curt Konetzke (Council President and Chairman of the Bridge Design Committee)
* Kevin Kaufman (citizen representative from Bridge Design Committee)
* U.S. Congressman Steve Kagen
* Governor Jim Doyle (invited)

2:30 p.m. - Ribbon cutting (Mayor Hanna, Governor Doyle, Congressman Kagen, speakers and members of the safety patrols)
2:40 p.m. - Bands play “God Bless America”
2:50 p.m. - Cake and visiting
(Following the ceremony, the bridge will remain closed to motorized traffic for a short while to allow citizens to tour the bridge.)
4:45 p.m. - Drawing for first ride across the bridge (police car driven by Police Chief David Walsh)
5 p.m. - Bridge opens to traffic

The bridge is tentatively scheduled to open at 5 p.m. Friday, but the project schedule is weather dependant. Rain during the week could delay the bridge opening to traffic for a few days. Friday’s ribbon cutting event will take place as planned.