Erie Mayor Joe Schember, the City's Department of Public Works, and other officials gathered Monday to dedicate the new Kahkwa Bridge.

The bridge, now open to traffic, replaces the former Kahkwa Bridge, which opened in 1920.

In 2021, the bridge was determined to be structurally unsound. It was demolished later that year because of safety concerns.

The new bridge is wider and longer than the one it replaced.  

During the dedication, Schember recognized city employees who were a part of the process.

Four memorial plaques have been dedicated at the bridge in honor of the son of Des McDonald.

He's an Erie man who donated $300 thousand to the project.