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State Transportation Commission Approves Naming Resolutions
Posted 4.19.06
Transportation Commission Office - PO Box 47308 - Olympia, WA 98504-7308
(360) 705-7070
Date: April 19, 2006
| Contacts: |
Reema Griffith, Transportation Commission
Executive Director,
360-705-7070 |
OLYMPIA – The State Transportation Commission recognized and honored Washington’s Armed Forces with approval of two separate naming resolutions during its meeting on Tuesday, April 18. In one resolution, the Berkeley Avenue Bridge which crosses Interstate 5 in Lakewood was renamed the “Freedom Bridge,” and the other designated State Route (SR) 22 in Toppenish as a “Blue Star Memorial Highway.”
The Transportation Commission has named many transportation facilities over the decades. Commissioner Dick Ford explained, “The Commission has over the years operated under a policy that requires demonstration of strong community support, the support of public officials, WSDOT support after a safety review, and finally, Commission support.”
Senator Mike Carrell, 28th Legislative District, along with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Region Administrator Randall Hain, appeared before the Commission to ask for their approval in renaming the bridge in Pierce County which serves Camp Murray on one side of I-5 and Fort Lewis on the other. “This bridge for decades, through good times and bad, has been traversed by our military personnel,” said Sen. Carrell. “It has been a focus for our community and we ask the Commission for their support to rename this bridge in memory of all the soldiers who have served.” A resolution for the renaming was adopted by a majority vote of the Commission.
Representative Bruce Chandler, 15th Legislative District, and WSDOT Region Administrator Don Whitehouse asked for the Commission’s approval in designating approximately four miles of SR 22 between I-82 and US 97 as a “Blue Star Memorial Highway.” Blue Star highways are sponsored by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and are living tributes to military personnel who have served our country. “This is part of a memorial that will feature an 1,800 square-foot flag, possibly the largest in Washington. The Toppenish Garden Club is sponsoring this project with the community’s support,” said Rep. Chandler. “They have raised money locally to fund this project and labor will be provided by the Fort Simcoe job corps.” With the Commission’s support for the designation, a Blue Star plaque would be placed near the highway. The resolution was unanimously approved.
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