PHOTOS: Duckwood Drive Bridge Opening Celebration

A bright yellow truck served as a substitute for scissors and as it nudged its way through the red ribbon held by Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire and Councilmember Gary Hansen on Tuesday morning, the officially opened for business.

The opening of the that spans I-35E completes what "Ring Road", a 20-year vision of the City of Eagan to provide a faster route for emergency responders and easier access to businesses and homes on either side of the I-35E.

The loop allows travelers to bypass the congestion of Yankee Doodle/Pilot Knob route by following Denmark Avenue, Northwood Parkway, Central Parkway Federal Drive an

City officials, business representatives and many residents were on hand for the early morning festivities that included a champagne christening, a unique race across the bridge featuring businesses located on either side, a ceremonial vehicle crossing and free coffee and donuts to smiling motorists that immediately made use of the new route.

"The event...emphasizes getting to the finish line," said Eagan City Administrator Tom Hedges leading up to Tuesday's festivities. "This has been a transportation priority for City Councils since 1991."

According to a press release provided by the City of Eagan, the 365-foot Duckwood bridge span involves 46 miles of reinforcing rebar and another 1,300 tons of concrete and beams, equalt to about 250 elephants. The and adjacent road realignments cost about $4.3 million, slightly more than the $4.2 million price tag of the "Ring Road's" sister project on Northwood Parkway and Denmark Avenue in 2008.

Both projects were paid for primarily with local city dollars, but about $1.6 million in funding from County and Federal agencies were provided.