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Joint committee advances bills to name several local bridges for veterans
Summary
The Joint Standing Committee on Transportation voted 'ought to pass' on two bridge-naming resolves after veterans and local advocates testified in favor; committee members urged care so the honor remains meaningful as similar namings increase.
A legislative committee on transportation voted to advance a pair of bridge-naming resolves after local veterans and town representatives described years-long efforts to memorialize service members with permanent signage.
Senator Joe Martin, sponsor of LD 21 81, told the panel he was presenting a resolve to rename the Fry bridge in Roxbury the Roxbury Frye Veterans Memorial Bridge and asked the committee to support the change as "a lasting tribute to the men and women who have served our country with courage and sacrifice." The town of Roxbury and local veterans’ groups provided letters of support, he said.
Veteran Robert White, introduced himself as a retired U.S. Marine and U.S. Army sergeant first class and described the community’s veterans memorial project, which he estimated will cost about $160,000 and be completed with no taxpayer funds. "This bridge would just carry us on because it's within sight of our memorial," White said, asking the committee to pass the measure so residents and visitors would have a visible reminder of local veterans.
Senator James Libby presented a package of related bills to name bridges in Cornish, Limington/Standish and adjoining areas — including a proposal to rename the Little River Bridge in Cornish the Cornish Veterans Memorial Bridge — and said his office had filed an amendment after MaineDOT advised some bridges lacked an official name on record.
Calista Cross, who has coordinated naming efforts across several towns, told the committee she had worked for two years to secure town approval in Cornish and urged the panel to approve the package. "It's taken me two years to get through my town," Cross said, asking members to support the bills so signage can be placed where towns have requested it.
A committee member voiced support for honoring veterans but warned that frequent, generic renamings could dilute the intended honor. After brief discussion the committee moved the naming bills into work session; LD 21 81 (Roxbury) and LD 21 83 (Cornish) received motions that they "ought to pass" and were recorded as supported unanimously by those present.
The public record for these items includes town letters and MaineDOT materials, which members said they will review further in work session. The committee did not take final floor action in the hearing itself; the bills were advanced with recommendation for passage to the next procedural stage.
