SALISBURY — N.C. Rep. Fred Steen says he hopes to file a bill soon that would name the new interstate bridge being built over the Yadkin River in honor of veterans.
Steen, a Republican from Rowan County, said he is working on gathering co-sponsors for the legislation and is trying to set up a meeting with Gov. Bev Perdue’s office next week to seek her support.
He was approached about naming the bridge several months ago by Rowan County veteran Rodney Cress.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Steen said. “Everybody’s going to call it the Yadkin River Bridge, but if we can call it the Yadkin River Veterans Memorial Bridge, that would send a message that we honor our veterans.”
Steen said he’s heard from a number of local elected officials who support the renaming. He hopes to get the governor’s office to help with navigating the criteria the Department of Transportation has for naming state roads.
He called the renaming a “grass-root effort” that has picked up steam in recent weeks, and he urged local residents to contact his office or the office of the governor to show their support.
Steen’s legislative email address is Fred.Steen@ncleg.net. The general email address for Perdue’s office is governor.office@nc.gov.
Cress has sent out an email seeking support for the renaming and the honor that would come with it.
“This bridge will be here hopefully for generations to come, and everyone who crosses will remember a veteran if only for a brief moment,” he wrote.