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The first new road bridge across the River Clyde in nearly two decades has opened to traffic.

The Renfrew Bridge, linking the Renfrewshire town with Yoker and Clydebank on the north bank, is part of a £117m project to improve connectivity and regenerate waterfront areas.

The 184m (604ft) bridge is the first road crossing on the river capable of opening to allow large ships to pass. As well as a two-lane crossing for drivers, the bridge offers access to cyclists and pedestrians.

The Renfrew Bridge is the second new bridge over the Clyde in a year, after a pedestrian crossing opened between Govan and Partick. It is the first vehicular crossing over the river since the Clyde Arc, nicknamed the Squinty Bridge, in 2006.

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A ceremonial opening event took place on Thursday which saw children from primary schools on both sides of the river meet in the middle. Pupils from Kirklandneuk Primary in Renfrew, Our Holy Redeemer's Primary in Clydebank and St Brendan's and Clyde primaries in Yoker waved flags and shook hands, accompanied by a pipe band.

Members of the public, cyclists and dogwalkers then streamed across the bridge for the first time, ahead of the full opening.

The leader of Renfrewshire Council, Iain Nicolson, said the bridge would bring major benefits for businesses and people living on both sides of the river. "It will connect all the communities around with regards to employment and economic development," he said. "They'll be able to travel across it, reach where they want to go - employment, Braehead shopping centre, Glasgow - quicker and faster. It will bring the communities together."

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The completion of the bridge marks the culmination of the £117m Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project which also includes new roads and cycling routes.

The project received funding from both the Scottish and UK governments through the Glasgow Region City Deal. A major benefit is improved access to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District being developed next to Glasgow Airport.

Construction was carried out by civil engineers Graham, and the large bridge sections were manufactured in the Netherlands before being transported by barge.

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Until now, the only way to cross the river at Renfrew was by using a small ferry that carries pedestrians and cyclists for a small fee. The Renfrew ferry has been operating, previously with larger car carrying vessels, for a century and is located closer to the town centre. The ferry will continue operating although the impact of the new bridge on its usage and future has yet to be established.