Bill naming bridge for retired Marine heads to governor
HARRISBURG — The state House has unanimously approved a bill renaming the Route 88 bridge between Washington and Greene counties for a highly decorated U.S. Marine veteran who was born nearby.
Senate Bill 546, sponsored by Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, names the new bridge over Ten Mile Creek the “Lt. Gen. William M. Keys Bridge.”
Born in Fredericktown, Keys graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and the National War College and served as a company commander in Vietnam. During Operation Desert Storm in Iraq, he was commanding general of more than 20,000 Marines and devised a famous “two-axis” attack that Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf called “simply brilliant.”
Keys has been awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat “V”, two Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Cross of Gallantry, Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars.
He retired from the Marine Corps in 1994, after 34 years of service.
The 384-foot, $10 million Route 88 bridge was completed a year ago, replacing an older steel truss bridge. It connects East Bethlehem Township, Washington County, with Jefferson Township, Greene County.
Senate Bill 546 is a parallel effort to House Bill 1002, introduced by state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson.