Santa Clarita Valley officials recognized the legacy of Connie Worden-Roberts at the ribbon cutting for a bridge-widening on a section of Highway 14 freeway named after the SCV’s “Road Warrior.”

The Golden Valley Bridge Widening Project opened Tuesday morning with several city, county and state officials gathered to celebrate what Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar called, “the icing on the cake” of the cross-valley connector, as well as the memory of its namesake, the late Connie Worden-Roberts.

The project is expected to improve traffic flow both entering and exiting the Highway 14 freeway through Golden Valley Road by adding a lane on each side of the street for a total of four through lanes, officials said.

The project also included a dedicated left-hand turn lane for southbound Highway 14, two left hand turn lanes for the northbound 14 and a protected pedestrian/cyclist path on the bridges south side.

Worden-Roberts, a longtime Santa Clarita Valley resident, was recognized by those in attendance as a key figure in helping to build the Santa Clarita Valley many recognize today. She earned the nickname “Road Warrior” in the process, for her work in advocating for many of the SCV’s roadways’ construction.

Assemblyman Scott Wilk said the memorial was “not a legacy, only a tribute,” crediting her role in bringing the ambitious cross-valley connector into reality, as well as the shaping of so much in and around Santa Clarita.

The morning began with a brief introduction from Kellar, as well as words from Wilk, Caltrans Official Deborah Wong, Glendale Councilman Ara Najarian and Metro Executive Director of Program Management Richard Clarke.

Officials unveiled a “Connie Worden-Roberts Memorial Bridge” sign on the bridge then local and transportation officials cut the ribbon.