AVOCA, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa community has celebrated the opening of a pedestrian bridge over the West Nishnabotna River. The Daily Nonpareil reports that the span opened in March and is the latest step in an effort to install trails throughout the town of Avoca. A dedication for the bridge was held Friday.

Before the crossing was built, residents would have to walk along a highway shoulder or take other less-than-ideal routes to get to the Edgington Memorial Park, which sits east of the river. Avoca librarian Serena Riesgaard remembers her brothers having to wade across the river to get to the park.

The bridge cost about $340,000, with about 50 percent of the project covered by a state transportation grant. The remainder was funded with local option sales tax dollars.