A Knoxville trolley on Monday ferried Mayor Bill Haslam, City Council members and TDOT officials on the first trip over the newly opened Gay Street bridge.

The 107-year-old bridge has been closed since December 2001 to undergo $15.7 million in repairs to the steel truss structure.

"The Gay Street Bridge serves as an important link for residents, workers and businesses in downtown and South Knoxville," said Mayor Haslam. "An estimated 12,000 vehicles used the bridge daily and this work ensures safe passage for them and new users for years to come."

The structure had scored a "poor" on safety inspections, one step above the lowest rating of "critical."

Work included replacing crumbling concrete on the deck and support piers and rusted pinjoints and bearings.

The city of Knoxville paid for 20 percent of construction, and the Federal Bridge Replacement Program funded the remaining costs.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation is serving as project manager; Ray Bell Construction Co. is general contractor.

Some painting remains to be completed on the bridge and railings, and traffic lanes maybe closed in upcoming weeks as the work is concluded.