EPVME-History how bridge memorials were selected 

How the veterans for the EPVME bridge memorials were selected in 1960-1961

Original historical letters and the Bridge Selection Committee Report from 1961 are posted below. 

The EPVMER Committee discovered 14, not 5, bridges and a report existed.  Then in 2019, the original report was located in the basement of the EP City Hall.  All papers in the January 1976 City Hall fire were not destroyed.

      After the Route 195 freeway was opened on Dec. 15, 1959, Rhode Island Governor Christopher Del Sesto authorized the East Providence City Council to name the bridges along the expressway in honor of “individual service men and women from East Providence who have sacrificed their lives in World War II or in Korea”. The public was asked to submit names of veterans and suggestions for naming the new expressway. 

      In July 1961, a Bridge Selection Committee report was presented to the City Council and Governor John A. Notte, Jr.  It contained 28 names of servicemen and a map of the 14 spans along Route 195. Two names were assigned to each memorial bridge plaque. 11 bridges had two signs, as 3 spans were one way roads. 

     On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1961, a double ceremony was held to dedicate these memorial bridge plaques and to designate the freeway as the East Providence Veterans Memorial Expressway (EPVME). Before research about the EPVME began, only 7 of the original 25 memorial signs remained on 5 of the 14 bridges and spans. With the repairs of the individual bridges along Interstate 195, an effort was initiated to have the missing signs re-installed.  With all 25 signs and 2 additional plaques (2 for Carlton, WWI and 1 for the Andrews Brothers exit) in place, a special double event, (1) re-dedication ceremony and (2) 60th anniversary celebration for all veterans of all wars, was held on Nov. 6, 2021. 

     Like the forgotten missing memorial plaques, an effort is being made to not let the citizens of E. Prov., RI who served in all military events be forgotten. Since then, several residents have been busy being the EPVMER2021 Committee.

Posted Feb. 22, 2024