2019 -- H 6249

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LC002899

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OPENING OF THE

CLAIBORNE PELL NEWPORT BRIDGE

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Abney, Shekarchi, Ruggiero, and Filippi

     Date Introduced: June 24, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The idea of building a bridge to connect the City of Newport on Aquidneck

Island with the Town of Jamestown on Conanicut Island began, according to Evan Smith,

President and CEO of Discover Newport and the Chairman for the Rhode Island Turnpike and

Bridge Authority’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee, in 1940 based on the belief that

building this bridge would foster increased economic development and commerce to Aquidneck

Island; and

     WHEREAS, Originally, there were eleven proposed locations for the bridge, which

fostered vigorous debate. On March 30, 1960, the Senate Finance Committee held an open

hearing regarding the proposed bridge, and later, then-Governor John H. Chaffee became a

passionate supporter of building this bridge; and

     WHEREAS, The Newport Bridge was constructed from 1966 to 1969. Bethlehem Steel

won the bid to construct the bridge at a cost of $18.9 million, all paid for by Rhode Island State

bonds. The Newport Bridge’s main span is 1601 feet, making it the longest suspension bridge in

New England. The overall length of the bridge is 11,247 feet; and

     WHEREAS, The Newport Bridge opened on June 28, 1969, with Frank Licht serving as

the Governor of Rhode Island at the time of its opening. On opening day, more than 15,000 cars

crossed the Bridge, and in less than a year, on April 20, 1970, the one millionth vehicle had

crossed the bridge. In 1992, the Bridge was renamed the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, in honor

of the former United States Senator from Rhode Island, but it is still most commonly known as

the Newport Bridge; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority will be hosting a public

celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Newport Bridge on Friday, June 28,

2019, at Fort Adams State Park, with live music, dancing, food trucks, fireworks, and other

entertainment amenities being available. Also, the Newport and Jamestown historical societies

are currently hosting and displaying exhibits celebrating the Newport Bridge; and

     WHEREAS, Since its opening, the Newport Bridge has become an indelible part of the

culture of the State of Rhode Island and a vital component to the overall economic well-being of

not just Aquidneck Island and Jamestown, but for the entire State; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby joyously celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the

Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge on June 28, 2019; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Evan Smith, President and CEO of

Discover Newport, and Chairman of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority’s 50th

Anniversary Celebration Committee.

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