The front page of the program for the Sept. 19 ribbon cutting of the new Lee Street Bridge at Interstate 75, exit 233 in Morrow says it all, according to Morrow Mayor JB Burke.

“The front cover of the program will read, ‘Ain’t It Sweet, It’s Complete,’” he said as the long-awaited structure, in addition to its motorist-friendly ingress and egress ramps and well-lit bridge and inter-change, will officially open at 10 that morning. Following the ribbon-cutting, those in attendance are invited to have, “sweets and treats” at the Drury Inn & Suites at 6520 South Lee Street.

Clayton County officials and those from Morrow and most other Clayton municipalities are expected to be in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Although the bridge will officially open following the ribbon-cutting, its positive impact and ease of accessibility to and from city businesses it offers motorists and pedestrians has already been felt, Burke emphasized.

“Many of our business merchants have already reported an increase in their business, resulting from the new bridge and ease of access to Morrow businesses,” Burke said.

“Some have even said their business volume is up more than 10 percent over this time last year and they are crediting that increase to the ease of accessibility to our business district,” he added.

Burke added the ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the completion of a dream residents and businesses along the Jonesboro Road corridor at exit 233 have had for more than 20 years.

Burke and Morrow Councilwoman Jeanell Bridges expressed their appreciation to merchants and residents for their patience and understanding during the construction process.

“I have talked with many of our businesses and residents and they have told me that any inconvenience this project may have caused during construction has been well worth it,” Burke said.

They knew what this project would mean to our area once it was completed, Burke emphasized.

Bridges also joined Morrow Business and Tourism Association Executive Director Mike Twomey in commenting on the ease of ac-cessibility the new bridge offers.

“The ingress and egress ramps are extremely motorist friendly,” Bridges said.

“Before the improvements were made to our bridge, I had always had a problem merging onto the interstate going southbound with the tractor-trailer trucks whizzing by,” she said.

The councilwoman added that situation has been relieved by the extended southbound I-75 access ramp.

According to Twomey, the new structure makes Morrow more accessible to the 160,000 vehicles that pass the exit 233 interchange daily.

“This is such a welcoming exit now to every type of vehicle,” Twomey said. “This interchange is well lit and, we believe, people will feel more comfortable coming off, or getting on, to I-75 from the bridge.”

He also pointed out the ease of accessibility would bring increased business to Morrow’s seven hotels as well as Southlake Mall and all of the businesses in and around the Jonesboro Road corridor.

“It increases the walk ability and traffic flow into our area and, with the illumination the exit has, makes it more inviting, no matter if you are here for business or to shop our merchants,” Twomey added.