![\"construction\"](\"https:\/\/myeverettnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/pipes.jpg\")
<\/a>The view from 2018 showing the pipes beneath Grand Avenue Park.<\/p><\/div>
<\/a>Photo courtesy City of Everett<\/p><\/div> The greatly anticipated moment is here, the Grand Avenue Park Bridge is now open for public use! \u00a0Watch a virtual ribbon cutting and take a virtual walkthrough<\/a>\u00a0with project manager Heather Griffin and community member Nancy Kneist. Thank you for going on this journey with us, and we hope that you enjoy the use of this waterfront connection for many years to come.<\/p>\n The Grand Avenue Park Bridge passed its final safety inspection today and is now open to the public. While some minor work will still need to be performed over the coming weeks, the bridge is now ready for use to access the waterfront from Grand Avenue Park. Community members are welcome to visit using appropriate social distancing and face coverings.<\/p>\n It took many project partners working together to make the Grand Avenue Park Bridge possible. The bridge now connects the community, long separated by geography, with one of Everett\u2019s great amenities. The pedestrian bridge walkway joins a historic Everett neighborhood with the evolving Everett waterfront.<\/p>\n The bridge\u2019s opening is something the City of Everett and the community have been looking forward to for a long time. Under normal circumstances, we would have celebrated this amazing achievement and the completion of the tremendous work it took to get it done. But, because of COVID-19 considerations, the City is postponing an official grand opening until it is safe to gather. For now, we hope the community will take time to visit the bridge for themselves and experience what it\u2019s like to connect to the waterfront.<\/p>\n The elevator had to pass safety inspections in order to provide required ADA access to the bridge. The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), the governing authority that inspects and issues operating permits for elevators, performed the inspection today.<\/p>\n Though the pedestrian illumination is not complete, it is operational and sufficient for public use. The project team tested the lighting on Tuesday, Aug. 18, to observe glare and the adequacy of illumination. Additional lighting sets are on order, and final programming remains to be done. This work, once complete, will allow for the lighting to be dimmed, optimized by zone and placed on a program that allows for photocell and other controls. When complete, the lighting will be dimmed, more uniform and will be off during daylight hours. For the time being, the bridge lights will be illuminated continuously.<\/p>\n For more information, visit\u00a0everettwa.gov\/GAPB<\/a>. View the latest project photos in the\u00a0photo gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\n