ROCHESTER, N.Y. — For the first time in decades, several neighborhoods once divided by the inner loop are now connected.

City leaders cut ribbon on the Inner Loop East Transformation Wednesday afternoon.

The eastern section of the inner loop has been raised in order to 'bridge the moat' between city center and communities like Neighborhood of the Arts, Park Ave and the South Wedge.

It's the first time these areas have been connected since the '60s.

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren says the project was about one thing.

“It’s also going to be about jobs. Not just the jobs that were here to fill in the Inner Loop, but there is going to be new development that’s happening here and that’s putting people to work, but they’ll be permanent jobs created as well because businesses will be moving in here and new housing opportunities for our residents,” Warren (D) said.

It was made possible thanks to grant money secured by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. She says local businesses are already benefiting from the project.