PHOTOS: Community celebrates South Fork bridge

Midge Harkins of Martin City, stands on the new South Fork Bridge in Hungry Horse, watching traffic still crossing the old bridge before the ribbon cutting on Tuesday, December 18. Harkins said she had plenty of unpleasant memories of crossing the old bridge, including pulling a horse trailer across the narrow expanse. "Every time I would cross the bridge, I would instinctively bring my arms in close to my body," said Harkins. Looking at the new bridge, which is much wider and includes a bike/pedestrian lane, Harkins smiled. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Helen Pilling of Kila cheers and rings her bell as speakers make remarks before the South Fork Bridge Ribbon-Cutting on Tuesday, December 18, in Hungry Horse. Pilling said she came because she has been with the Rails-to-Trails program from the beginning and she wanted to share in the vision of connection.(Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Members of the Martin City Volunteer Fire Department were among the first to cross the new $12.7 million U.S. Highway 2 bridge following the South Fork Bridge Ribbon-Cutting on Tuesday, December 18, in Hungry Horse.(Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Republican Senator Dee Brown and others make if official opening the new $12.7 million U.S. Highway 2 bridge at the South Fork Bridge Ribbon-Cutting on Tuesday, December 18, in Hungry Horse.(Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

A large crowded gathered in the rain for the South Fork Bridge Ribbon-Cutting on Tuesday, December 18, in Hungry Horse.(Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

Dee Brown, winner of the raffle to be the first to cross the new $12.7 million U.S. Highway 2 bridge invited about 45 people to accompany her. Brown said that of the nearly 3000 tickets purchased, she bought approximately 50 of them.(Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)

From left, Steve Brown, Montana State District 2 Sen. Dee Brown, Marion Foley and Paul Snyder do a little celebration dance on the new South Fork Bridge Monday afternoon. The $13.2 million structure is now open to traffic. Brown won the raffle drawing to cross the bridge first. The raffle, the idea of Cal Grise, raised funds to the Martin City and Hungry Horse Fire Departments.