Columbus Mayor Michael was among those on hand Friday morning when one of the bridge's eastbound traffic lanes was opened, 10TV News reported.

The bridge will not open to both directions of traffic until next year, when the RiverSouth Project on the east side of the Scioto River is finished. 

According to the city, the westbound lane across the Main Street Bridge should open in the fall of 2011.

Pedestrians and bicyclists, however, can currently cross the bridge in both directions, 10TV News reported.

The bridge, which has been closed for eight years, was supposed to be built for about $20 million, but a variety of issues pushed the price tag to about $60 million.

With a unique arch and expansive pedestrian deck, the Main Street Brudge came in millions over budget and Columbus taxpayers will cover $15 million of the cost, 10TV News reported.

Still, city leaders believe the structure will be a magnet to pull developers into the Franklinton area.

"This is one of the great bridges of America," Coleman said on Friday.  "It will promote biking.  It will promote people coming together.  It will promote economic development on the west side and east side of our city."

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Previous Stories:

July 26, 2010: Main Street Bridge Finished, At Millions Over Budget
March 10, 2010: Construction Begins On New Rich Street Bridge

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