MAN — The Clarence "Eddie" Ellis Bridge in Man received a special grand opening ceremony on Sunday when Gov. Joe Manchin himself showed up for the official ribbon cutting of the bridge in town which replaced the Market Street Bridge.

Manchin didn't actually cut the ribbon on the bridge, Ralph Ellis, the father of Eddie Ellis did. Eddie Ellis was killed in 1969 in Vietnam.

For several weeks residents and officials in Man have been preparing for the big day when the bridge was officially open for traffic. Members of the New Route 10 Committee were present as well as statewide candidates like Greg Butcher, Ron Stollings and local elected officials like Man Mayor Jim Blevins.

New Route 10 was also addressed at the bridge ribbon cutting. Many present were enthusiastic about the new Route 10 project from Man to Logan, considering that recently Congressman Nick Joe Rahall addressed the topic when he spoke with Mayor Blevins, Robert Perry and others in Chapmanville about that project and others. Shortly thereafter it was announced that $17 million was announced for the project which will require an estimated extra $63 million will be required to finish the project.

While in Man, Gov. Manchin announced that Route 10 was a "high priority" project that would get completed.

Manchin also made an appearance at a Friends of Coal rally in Logan over the weekend. Manchin was joined by other Democrat candidates including Rupie Phillips and Greg Butcher at the event, which was planned to show support for coal miners and coal mining.

WVOW's Radio's Jay Nunley told The Logan Banner that it was difficult to get on or off Midelburg Island for the event due to the traffic in the area with several sporting events taking place at the same time.

One person who attended the Logan event said he was surprised at the low turnout and the noticeable lack of several local elected officials who normally would have been expected to attend such a rally. Organizers had expected up to 500 people at the event, which fell far short of that number.