Up to 200 people attended Saturday’s celebration and ribbon-cutting at the north end of the bridge at Shaw Avenue.

City leaders including 8th Ward Alderman Stephen Conway and newly elected Mayor Lyda Krewson gave brief remarks before the throng of people, dogs, bicyclists and a bagpiper made a ceremonial trek across the span to Southwest Avenue.

“Just as in our daily lives, these 22 months have taught us how important bridges are,” Conway told the crowd. “This bridge is a link to our past and a road to our future, and thank you for your patience.”

Krewson said she realized the bridge closure has been “very painful” for businesses and drivers, “but like a lot of things, when it’s over, we celebrate.”

She added, “I didn’t really have much to do with this. However, this is my 25th day as mayor, and it’s really fun to get to do something like this.”

Jeremy Bedenbaugh, lead pastor of the Journey, a network of six churches in the region, said the reopening is welcome news because the bridge closure caused a dip in membership at the church’s Kingshighway location near Tower Grove Park. He said he also noticed more late arrivals to services there.