Overview

• The city held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday to formally open the renamed span, with Russell’s family, Celtics figures, Gov. Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu in attendance.
• The $200 million multimodal bridge carries cars, bikes and pedestrians across the Charles River, linking Charlestown to the West End and North End near TD Garden.
• Speakers highlighted Russell’s 11 NBA titles, five MVPs and pioneering role as a Black head coach alongside his decades of civil-rights advocacy.
• In an op-ed, Russell’s daughter said the name recognizes how place, history and legacy intertwine and resolves a long-running debate over calling it the Charlestown or North End bridge.
• Wu said adjacent parks will honor resident-heroes Robert J. “Bobby D.” DeCristoforo and Boston Fire Lt. Steven F. Minehan.