A triple ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning marked the virtual completion of the construction phase of the most mammoth bridge project ever in Carbon County.

The ribbon cutting was for the completion of the building of four Pa. Turnpike bridges - two spanning the Lehigh River and two spanning the Pohopoco Creek.The southbound bridges have been opened to traffic for a few months. The northbound bridges still required some line painting and will officially be open to traffic beginning Sunday morning.The project cost $101.6 million. Demolition of the two bridges that were opened on Nov. 7, 1957 is scheduled for next year.The dedication ceremony included officials of the Pa. Turnpike Commission, state lawmakers, and county and local officials.One of the speakers was former Speaker of the House Keith McCall of Summit Hill, who was a state representative when the turnpike project was given the go-ahead back in 1986."It's a great day for the motoring public who use the Turnpike, and a significant economic accomplishment for Carbon County," McCall said.After ribbons were cut, a parade of cars carrying officials crossed the new span. Leading that procession was a red-and-white, 1957 Chevy Bel Air convertible, owned and driven by William Wentz of Lehighton. The classic car was symbolic of the year the bridges were opened. Sitting in the front passenger seat with him was Frank Kempf, chief engineer of the commission's engineering design and construction departments.Before the ribbon cutting, a ceremony was held beneath the span next to the Lehigh Canal in Parryville. The master of ceremony was Craig Shuey, chief operating officer of the Turnpike Commission.Shuey said the current bridges, which carry more than 30,000 cars per day, are designed to have a life span of more than 75 years."This is a good example of what the tolls go for." said Roger Nutt, chief executive officer of the Turnpike Commission.He added that the turnpike contributes to the economy of the region."The turnpike employs about 200 people. We recently awarded $9 million in contracts to Mack Trucks," he said.Nutt said much of the material used to construct the bridges was supplied by Rock Hill of Parryville. A cement truck from Rock Hill followed the convertible across the bridge."There are mammoth projects like this all over the state that need to get done." state Sen. David Argall said."During the next 50 years, these new turnpike bridges will help our area to compete for better jobs," state Sen. John T. Yudichak said."This is a great asset to Carbon County," said state Rep. Doyle Heffley.The general contractor for the project was Walsh Construction Company of Pittsburgh.The new bridges were built as part of the commission's self-funded, 10 year Capital Improvement Plan to rebuild and modernize its more than 600 miles of interstate highway and mainline structures.During the triple ribbon cutting, the first cut was made by Nutt, who was accompanies by McCall, Heffley, Argall, Yudichak, and Kempf.The second ribbon-cutting consisted of Nutt as well as state and county officials.The third ribbon-cutting was done by engineers and other personnel involved with the project.The new twin bridges over the Lehigh River - and the historic Lehigh Canal that parallels its eastern bank - are 1,350 feet long and rise 75 feet over the river and canal. The new bridges over the Pohopoco Creek, located north of the Lehigh River span, are 1,020 feet long and rise 120 feet over the creek.