SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                           SJM 8000

 

              AS PASSED SENATE FEBRUARY 11, 1993

 

 

Brief Description:  Recognizing Homer M. Hadley as the father of the floating bridge.

 

SPONSORS: Senators Cantu, Winsley, Rinehart, Vognild, Bluechel, Newhouse and McDonald

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Barr, Drew, Haugen, Nelson, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Sheldon, and Winsley.

 

Staff:  Vicki Fabre (786‑7313)

 

Hearing Dates: January 27, 1993

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

In the early 1900's when discussion began about bridging Lake Washington from Seattle to Mercer Island, bridge designers faced immense technological and financial challenges.  Homer M. Hadley, a local civil engineer, conceived the idea of attaching concrete barges end to end to form a bridge, mapped out a location, and completed a design of the facility he dreamed of personally constructing with private financing.  However, when private financing did not materialize, and upon learning that the state was developing its own proposal to bridge Lake Washington, Mr. Hadley shared his proposal with Lacey V. Murrow, then director of the state Department of Highways.  The state concluded that Hadley's proposal was not only the most practical but solved every technological dilemma.

 

Mr. Hadley was also responsible for numerous other Washington bridge designs known for their sculptural simplicity and attractiveness and maximum strength.

 

On July 2, 1940, the world's first concrete floating bridge, named the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Floating Bridge, was opened to the public amidst great fanfare but without any recognition of Homer M. Hadley, its conceptualist.

 

The companion span to the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Floating Bridge which opened in 1989, commonly referred to as the Third Lake Washington Floating Bridge is presently unnamed.  The naming of bridges and highways is the prerogative of the State Transportation Commission.  Many people feel naming the new bridge in honor of Homer M. Hadley would be a fitting tribute to his dedicated and steadfast effort in bridging Lake Washington.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The Transportation Commission is directed to begin proceedings to designate the Third Lake Washington Floating Bridge, the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Floating Bridge.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  none requested

 

TESTIMONY FOR:

 

The naming, by the State Transportation Commission, of the Third Lake Washington Floating Bridge as the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Floating Bridge is a fitting tribute to its conceptualist and his dedicated and steadfast effort in bridging Lake Washington.

 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

 

TESTIFIED:  Senator Emilio Cantu, prime sponsor; Bill Southern, Public Affairs Officer, DOT; Dr. Eleanor Hadley; Dr. Arvid Grant; Muriel Winterscheid; Nancee Wildermuth, Architects and Engineers