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Who Named the Bridge?
By Dick Kauffman

 

August 02, 2005
Tuesday


Ketchikan, Alaska - Ralph M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge - that's the name of the proposed bridge to Gravina. When and how the bridge was named is a question that continues to arise. Rumors float that Congressman Don Young named the bridge, others say that the Ketchikan Assembly named the bridge, then there are others who think the citizens of Ketchikan might have voted on a name for the bridge.


jpg rendering of bridge

Rendering of Ralph M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge as viewed from Saxman.
This is a rendering of the 200-foot High Bridge East Channel.
Image courtesy Gravina Access Project


For those who are confused, fortunately there are folks in Ketchikan who are the 'Keepers of Records' such as Ketchikan Borough Clerk Harriett Edwards. According to Edwards, the history behind the naming of the bridge to Gravina goes back many years to 1989 at which time the proposed bridge was originally named the Veterans Memorial Bridge by the Alaska State Legislature.

And why would the state legislature name a bridge in Ketchikan? The answer is simple. In Alaska the state legislature is responsible for naming state projects such as the bridge - or a bike path to Saxman.


jpg 200 ft. and 120 ft. bridges

Rendering of the 200-foot High Bridge East Channel and 120-foot High Bridge West Channel which makes up the Ralph M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge.
Image courtesy Gravina Access Project


Then in 1997, at a Ketchikan Borough Assembly meeting on September 2nd, Assemblymember Meredith Marshall said she had suggested to U.S. Senator Ted Stevens that the proposed bridge be named after Ketchikan resident Ralph Bartholomew who had just passed away. Also Assemblymember J. C. Conley had suggested the bridge be named for Mr. Bartholomew who was well known in Ketchikan for his many years of hard work towards bringing the bridge project to fruition. (Memories of a Lifetime in Ketchikan; A story about Ralph M. Bartholomew By JUNE ALLEN)


Rendering of the 200-foot High Bridge East Channel
as viewed from the stairs at the downtown tunnel.
Image courtesy Gravina Access Project


On January 12, 1998, Senator Robyn Taylor, along with Senators Mackie, Leman and
Duncan introduced Senate Bill 211 which would amend Alaska Statute 35.40.050 to rename the bridge from the Veterans Memorial Bridge to the Ralph M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge. The bill passed and was signed into law in the spring of 1998.

And that's how the bridge was named.

 

On the Web:

Memories of a Lifetime in Ketchikan; A story about Ralph M. Bartholomew By JUNE ALLEN

Gravina Access Project
http://www.gravina-access.com




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