Winona,, MN (KROC-AM News) - Governor Tim Walz and First District Congressman Jim Hagedorn were in Winona Monday to participate in a celebration.

The City of Winona and the Minnesota Department of Transportation hosted the event to mark the Grand Reopening of the historic Interstate Bridge over the Mississippi River. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of an over $145 million project that involved the construction of a new two-lane bridge and the restoration and renovation of old Highway 43 bridge, which had been closed since 2016 for the work.

The bridge first opened in 1942 and was closed for repairs in 2008 after structural deficiencies were discovered during inspections that followed the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. It now carries eastbound traffic from Minnesota to Wisconsin, while the new bridge handles westbound traffic.

MnDOT officials say some finishing work will continue doing some site work around the bridge that should be completed this fall.

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