What Should We Call the New Fenton Bridge?
Such a long awaited structure in town deserves a fitting monicker. We'd like to hear your ideas for naming the Meramec River bridge nearing completion in Fenton.
Today, we have a bridge to sell you (on).
The long-awaited bridge over the Meramec River between Olde Towne Fenton and Sunset Hills received a major step forward this week as the concrete bridge deck was poured.
The bridge was closed in August 2007 after a St. Louis County inspection found extensive deterioration to the bridge deck and support system. The demolition of the old bridge and construction of a new span has been delayed multiple times by Mother Nature, mostly due to historically high river levels as the river wandered into low-lying areas and prevented the construction of bridge supports.
Now that the goal is to have the bridge completed by late August or early September, it got us at Patch to wondering. What will the new bridge be called? Previously, it was known as the Old Gravois Road Bridge; fitting, since Old Gravois Road traveled across it. But it just doesn't seem right to call it that any longer since it will be a brand new structure. And somehow, the new Old Gravois Road Bridge seems a contradiction.
The City of Fenton has no plan to name the new bridge, referring to it primarily as "The Bridge." Since the city owns the bridge, it is able to call it anything it wants. All it would take is someone on the Board of Aldermen, or the mayor, to draft an ordinance to name it, assuming it would be approved by a majority of the board.
So, should the bridge have a name? If so, what should it be called?
Here are a few suggestions:
- Olde Towne Fenton Bridge
- Fenton/Sunset Hills Bridge
- Fenton Meramec Bridge
- The Bridge
We at Patch might offer a completely self-serving name as well - the Patch.com Bridge.
Regardless, we though we'd offer a naming contest of sorts to see what readers think about a bridge name. Please participate in our short poll at the end of this article and add your suggestions in the comments.
Again, there is no obligation, or commitment, by the city to listen to any of the suggestions, or to name the bridge at all, but the bridge will restore a key access to the city and especially to businesses in Olde Towne when it is finished later this summer, so we though it should have a name. Your suggestions are encouraged.
Josh Wooden
7:31 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Fresh Fenton Bridge
Woody
Dan Barger
10:58 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Good one, Woody.
Terry
1:06 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Just call it "OPEN"! We have been waiting for this long enough!
Craig
3:24 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Sunset Bridge or.....'Joe Clark' Bridge ahahahaha!
Deb Wade
9:28 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
I was going to say the Old Town bridge, since it DOES crossover in to Old(er) Fenton, Or just the Fenton Crossover Bridge...
lawrence sigel
1:44 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
" MY " bridge
Charles Przygoda
7:38 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Joe Clark Bridge
Charles Przygoda
7:44 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I think he did a lot for the community in its early years. He was a local business owner for over 50yrs and was Alderman for a time. He had been part of Fenton since the beginning. Though some of the newer folks don't know him or who he was. It would be pretty cool to honor a man who helped the growth of the community with a name on a long overdue bridge.
Jane McDaniel
10:26 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
It should be named after Joe Clark, he did so much for the town of Fenton & he fed all of the construction workers & everyone else. His family still owns a lot of property in Fenton.
nancy przygoda
5:54 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2012
I vote for Joe Clark as well, another great man, great history , and the family back ground goes back to Williams & Clark, What's left to be said..
Cindy
5:43 pm on Sunday, April 15, 2012
F.O. Bridge
Finally open or Fenton Ole Town whichever you prefer
Robert Young
10:42 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Bob,
I used the old bridge in the 50s. I moved into Fenton 28 years ago. I think the the bridge should be called Old Thirty Bridge, Old 30 Bridge would work as well. It may not be an old bridge but High Way 30 sure is an old road with a great history. I remember Fenton Produce and the old building Metro Electric is in now. It is a neat old area that can be somthing again but the smell in the area will need attention before it grows back to a great point of interest.