At 1:00 this afternoon (Sept. 26), Sedalia Mayor Elaine Horn and the Sedalia City Council cut the ribbon to re-open the Washington Street Viaduct. In attendance were city staff and representatives of the contracting company that accomplished the work on the viaduct, as well as citizens of Sedalia who had long anticipated the event. The Washington Street Viaduct impacted all of Sedalia over the past year and a half, especially the citizens of North Sedalia.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, the first vehicle, Fire Engine #1, made its way slowly over the viaduct, entering on the North Side and exiting on Main Street.

"Letting the fire engine go over the viaduct first not only shows the strength of the viaduct, but it also shows the bridge is open to emergency vehicles now," said Sedalia City Administrator Gary Edwards. "It should alleviate some anxiety for those concerned about emergency response time for the north side of Sedalia.

In the year and a half since the viaduct has been closed, there were no problems experienced due to the viaduct being closed according to Mayor Elaine Horn.

The viaduct was not painted during the reconstruction. Both Horn and Edwards said the nearly $300,000 price tag for something that would be for cosmetic reasons was too high a price to pay at this time.

Listen to our interview with City Administrator Gary Edwards below.

Listen to our interview with Mayor Horn about the Washington Street Viaduct below.

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