The completion of half of the new Main Street Viaduct, allowing the lifting of the detours motorists and truck traffic have had to endure since July, represents another big step forward for the Butler community. The state Department of Transportation and the J.B. Fay Co., general contractor, merit praise for how smoothly and expeditiously the project has been carried out to date.

The other half of the span is expected to be completed about this time next year, giving the city a modern entranceway instead of the deteriorating span that for so long had been an immediate eyesore to those approaching the downtown.

The former viaduct, which was demolished after being shut down three months ago, was built in 1917.

Work on a new Wayne Street Viaduct, another major component in improving travel in the city, is scheduled to begin in 2007. Like the former Main Street span before its demise, the Wayne Street Viaduct exhibits deterioration emanating from its long service to the city.

Also like the Main Street Viaduct, the Wayne Street span is indispensable in terms of allowing efficient movement into and out of the city.

Now that half of the Main Street Viaduct has been completed, it is time for officials to look more closely at the area of Route 8 between the Picklegate Crossing, which provides an entranceway to the city's west side and Lyndora, and the new Main Street span. Officials should brainstorm to find ways to make that area more visually pleasing to visitors and residents alike.

A bridge beautification committee of city business owners, elected officials and residents has worked to pick the design of Main Street bridge railings and light fixtures and plan other pleasing touches to make the new span unique to Butler. However, extending beautification farther down Route 8 will provide additional evidence that Butler is a community on the move and optimistic about its future.

In fact, there should be no boundary for efforts aimed at expelling the Rust Belt image that the old Main Street bridge typified.

Bob Fay, of the Fay Co., spoke in an upbeat way about the cooperation that his company has received thus far in building the $27.5 million project.

It is important that a similar upbeat attitude prevail in regard to beautification efforts beyond the bridge. This is a great time and great opportunity for the city, and it should not be squandered.

City officials should lead that broader initiative — ensure that it happens and ensure that it is vigorous.

Perhaps formation of a second beautification group is to be considered, although people capable of that additional mission already are in place with the initial group.

"This is a good-looking bridge," Fay said.

And, it will look even better at this time next year.

It is part of Butler's new era of revitalization that is gearing up on a number of fronts. As with the two viaducts, those efforts must continue to move forward.