The public is invited to the short ceremony. Invitations have been sent to local dignitaries members of the Army Corps of Engineers and elected officials.

The 600-foot pedestrian bridge spans the St. Joseph River from the former Playland Park, over the Northside Boulevard to near the Franklin D. Schurz Library. The red iron bridge has been an exciting addition to the campus and the community. It has already become popular with walkers and joggers.

The dedication is a significant step in the development of the land with the groundbreaking for student housing expected this spring.

Approval was given in September by the Indiana University board of trustees to build the first phase of student housing on the 26.5 acres of land south of the river. The bridge will link the housing to the rest of campus.

Further approval of the housing plan must also be given by the Commission for Higher Education and the State Budget Committee. Both are expected to consider the plan later this fall.

The bridge dedication is nearly one year from the bridge groundbreaking, which as Dec.1, 2005. The project moved quickly thanks to a mild winter and was completed in late summer. The $2.75 million project was funded by federal grants along with supplemental funds from IU.

Currently, the land on south side of the river is being used for soccer fields. Walking and bike paths will be added next. IU South Bend received $780,000 in federal funding toward the construction of bike and pedestrian paths along the river bank.

The federal funding was approved by the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG). The university is required to match 20 percent of the funding or $195,000, which brings the entire project to nearly $1 million.

The project, which will be administered by the Indiana Department of Transportation through the LaPorte District Office, is for the improvement of air quality and the quality of life by developing the riverfront.