After more than four months of construction, the Taylor Street bridge is open.

“The bridge opened yesterday, and traffic is returning to normal,” assistant city engineer Joel Maurer said.

The newly completed two-lane bridge has raised 8-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides, and has been reinforced with stronger, sturdier materials.

The bridge lies on Taylor Street between Annie Glidden Road and First Avenue.

The bridge construction started May 29. Necessity of this construction was because the 50-year-old bridge was too narrow and the structure was deteriorating.

“We wanted to make it safer, not just for cars, but for pedestrians to gain access to Lions Park,” Maurer said.

During the four-month span, residents had to use Lincoln Highway as a detour around Taylor Street.

The final cost for the bridge construction is $1.3 million. The Federal Bridge Replacement Program provided $640,000 to fund the project.

An Illinois First grant, provided by Congress members, provided $390,000, with Rep. David Wirsing providing $75,000 and Senator Brad Burzynski (R-Ill.) providing $315,000.

The remaining $270,000 was taken from the city’s motor fuel tax.

The city will hold a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for the Taylor Street Bridge at 11 a.m. Oct. 15. Wirsing and Burzynski are expected to attend the ceremony. The public is invited to attend.