SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SJM 8017

              As Passed Senate, February 14, 1998

Brief Description:  Naming the Admiral James S. Russell Bridge.

Sponsors:  Senators Oke, Rasmussen and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/15/98, 1/29/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/14/98, 45-2.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prince, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Heavey, Horn, Morton, Oke, Rasmussen and Sellar.

Staff:  Ashley Probart (786-7319)

Background:  Washington State has a tradition of naming bridges after prominent Washington citizens.  The Tacoma community and the Military Affairs Subcommittee would like to acknowledge the many accomplishments and contributions of Admiral James S. Russell, a Tacoma native, by naming the new cable stay bridge as it crosses the Thea Foss Waterway on State Route 509 the AAdmiral James S. Russell Bridge.@

The State Route 509 cable stay bridge is a modified suspension bridge that is approximately 1,000 feet in length.  The Washington State Department of Transportation completed bridge construction in 1997.

Summary of Bill:  The new cable stay bridge as it crosses the Thea Foss Waterway on State Route 509 is named the AAdmiral James S. Russell Bridge.@

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Naming the cable stay bridge on State Route 509 the AAdmiral James S. Russell Bridge@ would recognize his many accomplishments and contributions to the Tacoma community.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Oke, prime sponsor; Casey Cochrane, Gary Brackett, Ron Mikulski, Grace Bennett, Tacoma/Pierce County Chamber of Commerce; Josh Hiesler, Stadium High School ROTC.