BILL REQ. #:  S-1408.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/18/09.   

     TO THE HONORABLE PAULA HAMMOND, SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, AND TO THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, On June 22, 2007, Kollin Nielson tragically lost his life due to a drunk driving incident while working on the state Department of Transportation's Interstate 405 Kirkland Project in support of the citizens of Washington; and
     WHEREAS, Mr. Nielson was thirty years old and an employee of Kiewit Pacific Construction Company. He was Project Engineer over the grading, drainage, and paving work, which included many critical operations such as surveying, erosion control, traffic control, and subcontractor coordination. He was a critical part of the construction team; and
     WHEREAS, Mr. Nielson is survived by his wife, Sara, and his young son; and
     WHEREAS, Mr. Nielson grew up on a farm in Eastern Washington, where his parents instilled in him a great work ethic. He was deeply committed to his faith and very active in his church, no matter where his career took him. These virtues were very evident in the way Mr. Nielson lived his life. He worked hard, played hard, and always treated everyone with the utmost respect, dignity, and honesty;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State Transportation Commission commence proceedings to name the NE 116th Street overcrossing of Interstate 405 in Kirkland the "Kollin Nielson Memorial Bridge."
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Paula Hammond, Secretary of Transportation, the Washington State Transportation Commission, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.