New bridge opens to pedestrians

Nashville opened the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge Saturday morning. The 700-foot bridge spans the river from Shelby Bottoms to Two Rivers Parkway, joining pieces of the Stones River and Shelby Bottoms greenways. Outdoor enthusiasts walked across the bridge with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean to mark the official opening. The bridge, designed by Consoer Townsend Envirodyne Engineers and built by Bell and Associates Construction, connects schools, parks and businesses along a 22-mile stretch of greenways. Metro hopes the bridge will serve as an alternative method of transportation for people traveling from the Percy Priest Dam area to downtown Nashville. The city received $2.8 million from federal and state funds to build the $8 million bridge. STAFF REPORTS (Tennessean)