Memorial Bridge Ribbon Cutting Moved Up

New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials announced Wednesday afternoon the Memorial Bridge ribbon cutting ceremony has been moved up to Aug. 8 at 11 a.m.

According to Bill Boynton, a New Hampshire DOT spokesman, the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new $89.4 million span will be held a week sooner than the originally scheduled August 15 date.

"The innovative lift bridge connecting Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine across the Piscataqua River will be opened prior to that date to motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic once final testing has been completed," wrote Boynton in the state agency's press release.

Boynton noted the August 8 celebration is being planned to highlight the historical link between Portsmouth and Kittery. He said it will include a procession across the bridge and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting by former Portsmouth Mayor Eileen Foley, who was five years old when she cut the ribbon at the original Memorial Bridge opening in 1923.