After nearly a decade of funding and fundraising efforts, the Bridgeport Covered Bridge reopened to pedestrians on Thursday. The bridge, which was originally completed in 1862, was closed in 2011 over safety concerns. A number of community members, support groups, and state officials were on hand. That included the Executive Director of the South Yuba River Citizens League, Melinda Booth.

Booth also expects a positive impact on tourism and recreation at the park, although it could mean even more crowding, a concern in recent years.

Project construction was slowed by the pandemic in 2020. The cost of the project had also ballooned over the years to nearly seven-million dollars. It’s still considered the longest single span wood covered bridge in the world.