At approximately 10 a.m., under the beating sun, more than 100 locals, bridge-workers, reporters and state and local dignitaries gathered on the southern end of the northbound bridge to commemorate those who contributed to the success of the bridge phase of the project.
At the top of the list was the late U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos, acknowledged by state Sen. Leland Yee as the "heart and soul" of the effort.
  
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Yee was one of six speakers, each of whom stepped to the podium for a few quick words to extend their appreciation to Caltrans workers and supportive community members. The other five speakers were Mark Nogales, field representative for U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, Mayor of Pacifica Jim Vreeland, Committee for Green Foothills legislative advocate Lennie Roberts, Rick Disney of Disney Construction and county Supervisor Rich Gordon.
Following the brief ceremony, small bottles of bubble-blowing formula were passed around to everybody present to celebrate the moment. The commemoration is expected to be the only time pedestrians will be allowed to set foot on the bridges.
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