After nearly seven years since it’s closing, the Broad Avenue Bridge is set to re-open on Veteran’s Day with a ceremony honoring local war veterans. Formerly referred to as the “Broad Avenue Bridge”, the structure will now officially be titled “Broad Avenue Memorial Bridge”, in honor of its dedication to Dougherty County veterans.

The original bridge, built in 1920, was shut down in February of 2009 after the Georgia Department of Transportation deemed it unfit for travel. Three years later, the Veterans Coalition of Southwest Georgia officially decommissioned it and plans began for the construction of a new bridge.

“We are very excited to re-open this iconic bridge to the public,” says Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard, “through its opening, we are truly ‘bridging’ the community and showing respect to all of our veterans who have given so much to us. There is only one Albany, and the completion of this project reiterates that.”

Keeping to the concept of bridging the community, the ceremony will combine the city’s celebration with Albany State University’s Veteran’s Day program, incorporating both the East and West sides of the bridge.

The commissioning will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday November 11 with veterans, as well as local and state dignitaries, marching from the East towards the center of the bridge, where the ceremony will take place. Reception to follow at the Bridge House.