(Point Pleasant Boro) - Today, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Jack Lettiere was joined by State Senator Andrew Ciesla and Assemblymen David Wolfe to officially designate the Route 70 Manasquan River Bridge as the "September 11th Memorial Bridge."

Signs bearing new designation of the bridge and dedicating it to the victims of September 11th from Monmouth and Ocean Counties were unveiled.

"The Route 70 bridge now stands as a permanent reminder, both now and for future generations, of those from Monmouth and Ocean Counties who lost their lives three years ago," said Lettiere. "I want to thank Senator Cielsa, Assemblyman Wolfe, and Assemblyman Kean for sponsoring the legislation that made this dedication possible. I am proud I could be a part of such a fitting tribute."

In May, legislation sponsored by Senator Ciesla, Assemblyman Wolfe and Assemblyman Sean Kean was signed into law by Governor James E. McGreevey designating the bridge and funding the memorial signs. The bridge is the first section of State highway to be dedicated to victims of September 11th. Sections of State highway can only be given memorial names through legislative action.

"Today we celebrate the lives of the victims of 9/11; we celebrate their families, achievements and memories," said Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R-11). "Those who perished on 9/11 will never be forgotten and the 'September 11 Memorial Bridge' will stand as a tribute so that future generations will always remember our beloved Monmouth County residents who were taken from us that day." 

New Jersey 's U.S. Senators also added to the ceremony:

"On September 11th, our nation's character was not diminished, it was strengthened," noted U.S. Senator Senator Frank Lautenberg. "On that fateful day New Jersey lost 700 of its own citizens, leaving behind families who have only the memories of those they loved and lost.  It is imperative we remember those who died and the people they left behind and this bridge stands as an excellent memorial to them, for it represents the unified spirit that has brought all Americans together since those tragic attacks."

 

"This bridge will now serve as a reminder to all of us to Honor the memory of the people of Monmouth and Ocean counties who died on September 11, 2001,'' added U.S. Senator Jon Corzine.

Legislation (A1047, Wolfe & Kean: S2377, Ciesla) passed both chambers and was signed by Governor James McGreevey on May 12, 2004 (P.L. 2004, c.15 ) designates this bridge as the September 11th Memorial Bridge to honor all of the men and women from Monmouth and Ocean County who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 as a fitting and permanent memorial to their sacrifice.

"This bridge will now serve as a reminder to all of us to honor the memory of the people of Monmouth and Ocean counties who died on September 11, 2001,'' added U.S. Senator Jon Corzine.

According to the bill, the bridge will now also serve as a constant reminder, both now and for future generations, of America's, and New Jersey 's spirit and commitment to freedom.

NJDOT has installed two signs, one on each side of the bridge, officially designating the Route 70 Bridge over the Manasquan River as the "September 11th Memorial Bridge." The memorial signs are both 4'x8' and stand on the northbound and southbound right hand shoulders of the approaches to the bridge. NJDOT was appropriated $2,500 from the General Fund to cover the costs of the appropriate signs.

In addition, NJDOT has performed various landscaping projects at the site of these two signs, to further enhance their aesthetic appeal and to make them more visible to drivers.

NJDOT will soon begin a project to replace this very same bridge as it is in need of replacement. The $48 million project is consistent with Governor McGreevey's "Fix-It-First" initiative; it will begin in the Fall of 2005 and is scheduled for completion in late 2007.

Construction will require the temporary removal of the memorial signs in order to prevent their damage. The memorial signs will be incorporated into the final design and the contractor will place them in a very similar fashion after construction of the new bridge.