Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Instead of an aisle, the bride Robecca Novotne is escorted down the bridge’s double lines for the wedding ceremony. Novotne, of Monessen, married Mike Castner of North Charleroi during the bridge opening on Saturday, June 29.

Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Alyssa Castner, of Charleroi, and Brandon Schwab release pigeons at the end of the John K. Tener Memorial Bridge ceremony. After the pair released the two pigeons, two more crates of pigeons were released to mark the end of the ceremony.

Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Senator J. Barry Stout cuts the ribbon alongside Representative Ted Harhai (right) and a member of the Tener family John Tener at the opening of the John K. Tener Memorial Bridge on Saturday, June 29.

Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter The John K. Tener Memorial Bridge opened on Saturday connection Charleroi and Monessen after years of construction. A fire truck from Donora and one from Monessen helped hoist the flag above the bridge.

Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Michael Castner, of North Charleroi, and Robecca Novotne of Monessen are wed by Charleroi mayor Lee Hall in the middle of the bridge opening ceremony. The pair, who have their wedding scheduled for July 6, decided to do their vows at the opening of the bridge to be another way to symbolize the joining of the two communities.

Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Bailey Marsich,8, looks in at the crates of pigeons waiting for release during the bridge opening ceremony on Saturday, June 29.