The Mansion House Bridge opened this morning with the United Veterans unfurling of the flags followed by the first crossing of the bridge by the Jim Thorpe Bike Team and 300 Rails-to-Trails Pennsylvania Sojourn Bicyclists.

Once the trail project is completed, the Mansion House Bridge will connect 57 miles of the D&L Trail through four counties. Its location in Jim Thorpe is central to connecting 35 miles north to the Black Diamond Trailhead (north of White Haven) and 23 miles south to Northampton Borough.

The bridge and D&L trail will be only be open for public use until 2 p.m. today. After today it will be closed until the retaining wall is completed.