Board may name bypass bridge
Published 10:49 pm Sunday, February 14, 2010
By By JONATHAN CLAYBORNE
Staff Writer
The N.C. Board of Transportation is scheduled to meet in teleconference Monday morning to consider naming the U.S. Highway 17 Bypass bridge after the late Ashley B. Futrell Sr.
Futrell, who passed away in 2005, had a long career as a state senator and as the editor and publisher of the Washington Daily News.
He was inducted into the N.C. Journalism Hall of Fame, notes a news release from the board.
I had not heard about (the meeting) until yesterday, Hugh Overholt, a board member from New Bern, said Friday. I have no reason not to support it.
Overholt represents highway Division 2, which covers eight counties, including Pitt and Beaufort.
Overholt said he didnt know Futrell but would vote to name the bridge after him based on local recommendations.
He said the transportation board must approve naming all bridges and highways in the state.
The boards meeting comes in response to a move by the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, which voted 5-2 in 2008 to ask transportation officials to name the bridge after Futrell.
The motion was opposed by Commissioners Stan Deatherage and Hood Richardson, both Republicans.
Futrell was a Democrat.
I kind of feel the same way as I did then, Deatherage said late last week. This is no smack against Mr. Futrell.
Deatherage and Richardson had pressed the state to build the bridge east of Washington, not west of the city.
I think this has always been purposely placed in that position by Democrats and by those who align themselves with Democrats, Deatherage commented, adding that the bridge should be called the Democrat bypass.
Washington Mayor Archie Jennings said he favors placing Futrells name on the new structure.
I think its a good idea, Jennings said. I think its a significant landmark to us and worthy of a naming opportunity, and I think Mr. Futrell, his service to the community and his long track record in that regard, makes it a worthy honor.
The transportation boards news release says the county commissioners nod toward naming the bridge for Futrell came two years before the end of construction, preventing the board from taking action at that time.
By approving the countys request at this time, the honorary designation can be included in the bridge-opening ceremony, the release reads. The Board of Transportation normally requires that a road or bridge naming be held for 30 days before it takes final action. By board action, that requirement will be waived to meet the time constraints for the Feb. 26 (opening) ceremony.
The release says Mondays meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the boards conference room at the Transportation Building in Raleigh. No other business is scheduled, and the meeting is open to the public, it reads.