Park Union pedestrian bridge opens in downtown Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Southwest Pedestrian Bridge, now known as the Park Union Bridge, is officially open to the public.

At least 200 people were showed up for a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the bridge's opening.

A phase local leaders repeated throughout the day's festivities was "connecting the old with the new"; something the Park Union Bridge does both physically and symbolically.

The bridge connects America the Beautiful Park to the new US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, but also bridges the city's illustrious 150 year past to a future of incredible potential.

City officials said Colorado Springs is already living up to that potential through several new builds downtown: Weidner Field, the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, and now, the Park Union Bridge.

“Today we celebrate the opening of an iconic bridge of our own," said Mayor John Suthers ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "It unites a city and a park, and I confidently predict it will be amongst the most photographed and iconic landmarks in Olympic City USA.”

“Together, we are building a city for all to enjoy, and to safely accommodate people of all ages and abilities." said Randy Helms with the Colorado Springs City Council.

The architecture firm, Dillier Scofidio + Renfro, that designed the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, also designed the Park Union Bridge.

Both were built with accessibility in mind. Pedestrians and cyclists can access both west and east ends of the bridge by ramp, stairs, or by elevator. The bridge is also lined with lights for the safety of evening and early morning commuters.

City officials said plans for the Park Union Bridge have been in the works for decades. It was a huge investment in the downtown area, costing a whopping $20,000,000 in total.