Commuters in the Pictou County community of Eureka can now use the new Eureka Mills Bridge which officially opened on Monday.

It replaced the original 1887 Eureka Mills Bridge which was shut down last year as it reached the end of its service life. The single-lane bridge was dismantled over the summer and the new bridge is in essentially the same location.

The new bridge, which opened to traffic in December, is a 38-meter, two-lane concrete structure with a sidewalk, following the official opening the bridge should now appear on navigation applications as an acceptable route instead of a detour.

“Replacing the aging, single-lane Eureka Mills Bridge means that Pictou County now has a safer transportation link for generations,” said Premier Tim Houston. “The new sidewalk along the bridge encourages active transportation, allowing runners, walkers and cyclists to safely cross the West Branch East River.”

The project cost approximatly $3.5 million.