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Pence names new Ohio River bridge after Lewis and Clark

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – A new bridge spanning the Ohio River between Indiana and Kentucky has been named after the 19th Century explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

The new Lewis and Clark Bridge, which was previously known as the East End Crossing, opened to traffic Sunday. It is one of multiple bridges connecting southern Indiana with the Louisville Kentucky metro-area.

Indiana’s incoming Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb appeared at an opening ceremony before the bridge officially opened to traffic just before 5 p.m. Current Gov. Mike Pence issued an executive order Sunday naming the bridge for the explorers.

The $763 million bridge took more than three years to build. It offers a bypass route for travelers who want to avoid downtown Louisville traffic.