WILMINGTON, N.C. -- After two years of had work, the half-mile long walkway around the Battleship North Carolina is complete.

• Dedicated to veterans
• $17 million renovation includes new cofferdam
• Open to public next month

Local and state officials joined together Thursday evening to dedicate the new walkway in honor of our veterans. The $17 million renovation also includes a new cofferdam which will help crews with repair work. Veterans said they're pleased to see the project come together so nicely.

“The ship has always been dedicated as a memorial to the North Carolina veterans that lost their lives in World War II, like 10,000 plus of them. But to take it a step forward and say okay this is for all veterans of all services of all time, to me, it strikes me very well," said John Munn, Vietnam veteran.

The walkway opens to the public later next month.