PRINCETON -- "Long live the Stony Brook Bridge!"

Those were the words of Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert Thursday from the spot where - during George Washington's presidency - the original stone arch bridge was constructed on what is now Route 206.

Now, 225 years later, the state's oldest span has new life and a bright future, officials said at the bridge's reopening.

The bridge was closed in February 2016 for emergency repairs following a partial collapse after heavy rains.

Concrete dividers were placed on the roadway and the bridge reopened, but damage was more extensive than originally thought.

Later in the year, in July 2017, Route 206 was closed in both directions to allow for the complete reconstruction of the historic bridge and the adjacent bridge, known as the Flood Channel Bridge.

"There were some scary days there. We had to get this bridge back together and fortunately, we did not lose it," N.J. Department of Transportation Assistant Commissioner and engineer David Lambert III said.

Lambert continued, "We stripped down the old arch bridge, redesigned the inside of the arch bridge with 21st century technology. We then covered the outside with this beautiful stone work (using the) 18th century bridge building techniques from the original construction."

Another facet of the project induced the stabilization and repointing of a wall remaining from the 300-year-old Worth Mill abutting Route 206 at the bridge, said Sachdeep Arora, who was part of the design team.

"I have tremendous respect for everyone on the team for approaching the challenge (of rebuilding) with sensitivity and humility and a sense of cooperation," Princeton Historic Preservation Officer Elizabeth Kim said.

The project was completed on time and on budget, the state Department of Transportation said.

Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @michaelmancuso Find NJ.com on Facebook.