Senate Transportation hears multiple highway and bridge naming bills, approves repeal of multi‑state compact; discusses vehicle lamp changes

BISMARCK, N.D. — The Senate Transportation Committee on March 4 heard testimony on a string of bills to name bridges and stretches of highway for North Dakota veterans, approved repeal language removing a dormant multistate transportation compact from state law and took initial testimony on a bill that would allow special warning lamps on vehicles such as tow trucks and funeral processions.

The committee opened hearings on House Bill 1140, which would designate the bridge on South State Avenue in Dickinson for Specialist John P. Fettig, and heard from Representative Vicki Steiner (R‑District 37) and veterans groups supporting the measure. The Department of Transportation told the committee it had an amendment to remove DOT language because the bridge is on a city street and not on the state highway system; DOT asked that the bill be changed so designation and any appropriation for signs be tied to the road authority that owns the bridge and recommended confirming the City of Dickinson’s formal approval before proceeding.

The committee also heard bills to name a bridge on State Highway 31 north of New Salem for Specialist Dennis J. "DJ" Furter Jr. (House Bill 1173); a portion of State Highway 18 as the Private First Class Henry Gerke Memorial Highway (House Bill 1212); and a bridge on State Highway 5 in Bottineau for Lieutenant Commander Carl J. Woods (House Bill 1228). Family members and veterans organizations testified in support of each naming bill, describing the service and deaths of the service members and saying local veterans’…