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

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

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

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

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

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

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Island; and

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

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

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

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passionate supporter of building this bridge; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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the Newport Bridge; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Anniversary Celebration Committee.

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