ST. CHARLES – More than 100 people are expected to gather this morning to celebrate the opening of Red Gate Bridge, a $31 million, decadeslong undertaking that provides St. Charles with its northernmost Fox River crossing.

“In the spirit of Christmas, good things come to those who wait,” Mayor Don DeWitte said. “Clearly, this is a project that our residents have been very patient in waiting for but very persistent in their wishes that this project become a reality.”

The need for a bridge in northern St. Charles dates to at least 1928, when it was noted in the comprehensive plan, city staff have said. It also was mentioned in long-range documents such as the Kane County Department of Transportation 2030 Transportation Plan and the 2007-2012 Transportation Improvement Program prepared by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.