New pedestrian bridge
opens near Monte Vista

A view of the new pedestrian bridge over Ray Road.

Local dignitaries, neighbors, school officials, students and their parents gathered for a 10 a.m. dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked both an end of a long construction schedule and the beginning of what everyone hopes will be a safer time for those who cross Ray Road near East Thunderhill Place.

The 115-foot bridge, with its distinctive spiral mesh covering, includes a set of ramps and stairs at both ends. The structure is expected to carry some 200 Monte Vista students up and over traffic on Ray Road each school day.

With the opening of the bridge came the removal of the crosswalk painted on Ray Road. School officials reminded everyone that from now on the only safe and legal way to get across the street is to use the new bridge.

Here are some photographs of the dedication ceremony and the bridge's first day in service:

Looking through the bridge towards the west

A view of the bridge facing east

Dr. Shimkus addresses the crowd

Student Council listens to speakers

Students walk on bridge

KMV's mountain lion leads the way

Students on the bridge

"Sparky" crosses the bridge

A look up at the bridge

Monte Vista seen from bridge

Want to take a virtual walk across the bridge? Click here for a short video of a trip across the bridge on its first day of service. Be forewarned: The file is large (3.7 MB) and may take a while to download unless you have a high-speed Internet connection.

HOME | ABOUT OUR SCHOOL | PHOTO TOUR | CALENDAR
PTO | STAFF | LINKS | SITE COUNCIL | CLASSROOM PAGES
LIBRARY RESOURCES | PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE