Together Baton Rouge celebrating its ‘first victory’

On Saturday at 11 a.m. community leaders are planning a celebration of what is being called the “first victory” for Together Baton Rouge: the reconstruction and reopening of the Blue Grass Bridge in the Glen Oaks neighborhood. In March 2011, the bridge had been closed for a year, leaving hundreds of residents virtually blocked off from the rest of the city. Together Baton Rouge resolved to take action, working with Mayor Kip Holden, Metro Council member Ronnie Edwards and the Public Works Department staff to see the bridge reconstructed and reopened. At a Metro Council meeting in March, more than 130 Together Baton Rouge leaders turned out and got the council to commit to a reconstruction timeline. The bridge is now reopening on time and according to schedule. “This bridge is huge victory for our community,” says Dorothy Thomas of Baton Rouge. “And it’s only the first step. We now know what we can accomplish when communities join up with each other through Together Baton Rouge.” Saturday’s event will take place at the bridge, 6900 Blue Grass Dr.