(La Porte, IN) - Eventually, all bridges in La Porte County will be named after someone locally deserving of such recognition.  At least, that’s goal.  Nominations are being accepted to name the over 200 bridges here after local residents making a mark here past and present.

 

The first nominations were for naming bridges on Johnson Road after former Indiana State Senator Jim Arnold and his late father, Cliff Arnold.  If approved, the bridge above the Indiana Toll Road would be named after Jim Arnold while the bridge over Interstate 94 would carry the name of his father, who passed away in 1996.

 

“I think I’m safe in speaking for my father as well that this is a great honor to even be considered,” Arnold said.  He and his father served two-terms as La Porte County Sheriff.  Cliff Arnold also served in Indianapolis as a State Representative for nine-years prior to becoming mayor in Michigan City in 1980.  Jim Arnold, a state senator from 1999 to 2006, is in the fourth year of his first term on the La Porte School Board.

 

The names will be given to a committee to decide under a process the La Porte County Commissioners approved last year for adding names to the over 200 bridges in the county.  Serving on the committee will be a commissioner, member of the county council, a county historian and two others to be appointed by the commissioners.

 

La Porte County Commission president Sheila Matias said the nominations start the process of accepting the names of other individuals deserving consideration for going above and beyond in any capacity during their lifetimes.  She wasn’t sure how many bridges will have names added to start but feels it’ll be done in phases.

 

Matias said the idea is giving identity to bridges known strictly by numbers and promote La Porte County as a home to people who’ve accomplished a great deal.  “This is way of us saying if you are a contributor in our county we want to honor your contributions,” Matias said.