A public holiday was declared in Kangaroo Valley for the bridge opening.

The bridge opening split the motorcade in two, much to the consternation of security staff.

The injunction against the bridge opening was dissolved and the martial law order rescinded on August 6.

They had a brief conversation about the bridge opening when the deck was clear, Chief Nalbach said.

Each bridge opening, state officials say, will last 22 minutes.

Bridge electrical and lighting work continues, but is not critical for the bridge opening.

The bridge opening was then scheduled for March 2008.

The bridge opening made the island finally accessible to vehicular traffic.

The 69 ft. clearance is sufficient for most river traffic, requiring bridge openings only about 30 times a month.

The new bridge, the only link between the communities, was built 65 feet high, eliminating the need for bridge openings.