EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A multimillion-dollar project designed to spur economic development in East Providence’s waterfront community is complete.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) was joined by members of the state’s congressional delegation and Mayor Bruce Rogers on Friday morning for a ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of Waterfront Drive. The $6.6 million project was designed to open up hundreds of acres of land to new business growth as a way to spur job creation.

The state Department of Transportation built the first .4 miles of Waterfront Drive, from Bold Point Park to Warren Avenue, in 2008. The new 1.1-mile stretch links Warren Avenue to Dexter Road.