The morning started off with a sunrise blessing at 6:50 a.m. and a performance by Cuicani In Xochitl, a Traditional Aztec dance group. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings began the inaugural dedication ceremony with an inspirational speech, referencing the symbolism of the bridge and how it will transform the lives of the citizens of Dallas. There was a togetherness that isn't always evident in Dallas. There was a sense of big possibilities and magical fortune, the latter helped along by both the well-heeled crowd and the spectacular weather.
The $182 million cable-stayed bridge, designed by internationally renowned Spanish artist, architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, connects Downtown Dallas to West Dallas over the Trinity River.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included three former Dallas mayors – Ron Kirk, now the Obama administration’s U.S. trade representative, Laura Miller, and Tom Leppert – as well as Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson. Calatrava was also in attendance.
It was left to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson to perhaps offer the most moving statements of the night. She said that she sees the new bridge from her home and knowing that it connects parts of Dallas that have long been disconnected by the Trinity River "means more to me than anything that is said here tonight."
The pats on the back from the other politicians on the stage, she suggested, were nice. But by its very existence, the bridge achieves something that all the political talk can never do she said.
"I can see the bridge looking out the windows in my house," she said. "That's all the thanks I need."
Johnson said, "I spent all day yesterday in West Dallas, and the people are so pleased about finally feeling that they are connected. This is a structure that brings the city together”. Source Dallas Morning News
Thru her position as Senior Ranking Texan on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Congresswoman Johnson was instrumental in securing millions of dollars in vital federal funds for the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge as well as over 33 million dollars for the new Margaret McDermot bridge which will begin construction soon.
