CELEBRATION ON THE SPAN 2-LANE BRIDGE WIDENING IS NOW FINISHED.

Byline: CAROL ROCK Staff Writer

SAUGUS -- Santa Clarita and Los Angeles County officials cut the ribbon on a two-lane expansion of the Bouquet Canyon bridge Wednesday, celebrating the completion of the two-year, $5.5 million project.

The bridge crosses the Santa Clara River between Soledad Canyon and Newhall Ranch roads. The project widened the existing bridge from six lanes to eight, which should smooth the transition of traffic through Bouquet Junction, city officials said.

According to Santa Clarita city spokeswoman Gail Ortiz, $4.5 million of the funding came from the Federal Highway Administration and the balance from the city and Los Angeles County.

``This is a great amenity for the people of Saugus and pretty much everybody who goes through this area,'' she said, noting that the bridge is part of the most highly traveled intersection in the city.

``We've also added a protected off-street bike trail and walkway,'' Ortiz said.

The Newhall Land and Farming Company helped pay for the trail, she said.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Traffic flows on the Bouquet Canyon bridge, which has been widened to eight lanes under a two-year project.

(2 -- color) City employee Maxine Silva sits Wednesday with the Santa Clarita city logo.

David Crane/Staff Photographer