KESENNUMA, Miyagi -- About 400 fireworks were launched in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, on Monday to commemorate the completion of the Kesennuma Bay bridge.
Kesennuma was one of the areas hardest hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake nearly 10 years ago. Planned by the Kesennuma city government and other parties, the fireworks were also intended to honor the victims of the quake and following tsunami on March 11, 2011.
"It's been a tough decade, but I saw something good [today]. It'll give me energy for tomorrow," said a 72-year-old man whose house in Kesennuma was completely destroyed by the tsunami. His home was later rebuilt on the same site.
The bridge is about 1,344 meters long, and forms part of the Sanriku Expressway. The expressway was created after the Great East Japan Earthquake as part of its "restoration road."
The 7.3-kilometer section between Kesennuma Port IC and Karakuwa Hanto IC, including the bridge, will be opened on Saturday.
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