It is always a delight when some public project comes in under budget and ahead of schedule, and that is especially true in the case of one of Chattanooga's most recognized and appealing landmarks: the Walnut Street Bridge.
The pedestrian bridge over our scenic Tennessee River, connecting downtown to the North Shore, was closed for repairs last December.
It was not supposed to reopen until mid-May, but Chattanoogans and tourists who enjoy traversing the beautiful bridge were happily surprised when it opened a month earlier than planned.
The repairs on the 2,376-foot-long bridge came in about $250,000 below budget. That frees up money to replace sidewalk panels across the bridge.
Although some details of the $1.3 million project will not be completed until July, local residents and tourists alike are already taking pleasure in again being able to cross the world's longest pedestrian bridge. Chattanooga's pleasant spring weather has made that even more enjoyable.
We welcome the Walnut Street Bridge's reopening.