TDOT Dedicates Bridge to Fallen Soldiers
Nashville, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Transportation today marked the beginning of the Independence Day holiday by dedicating the newly constructed bridge on 101st Airborne Division Parkway in Clarksville to the victims of the Gander plane crash, which occurred on December 12, 1985. The disaster claimed the lives of all 256 passengers on board, the majority of whom were members of the 101st Airborne Division.
“This new bridge will not only serve the traffic needs of the motorists who travel in this area everyday, it will also provide a vital link between the City of Clarksville and the Fort Campbell Army Post,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in the Gander crash.”
“I was honored to introduce legislation to dedicate this bridge to the lost soldiers of the 101st Airborne,” added Senator Rosalind Kurita. “The Gander Memorial Bridge will serve as a lasting memorial to them.”
Representative Joe Pitts, Representative Phillip Johnson, and Representative Curtis Johnson, who were also instrumental in the passage of the Gander Memorial Bridge bill, joined TDOT at today’s dedication.
“Fort Campbell is a fundamental part of this community,” said Rep. Pitts. “We want our troops to know that the people of Clarksville will always remember their sacrifices.”
Rep. Phillip Johnson added, “This is a wonderful commemoration to those that protect our freedom each and every day.”
“The Gander crash represents the highest death toll on any day for the U.S. armed forces since World War II,” said Rep. Curtis Johnson. “I’m so pleased that Clarksville will have its own permanent memorial to these soldiers.”
In addition to the legislation adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly, the City of Clarksville and Montgomery County also passed resolutions to dedicate the Gander Memorial Bridge. Both resolutions were drafted by a local teenager, Leora Smith, who researched the Gander crash for a Veterans Day essay contest.
“It is a testament to the people of Clarksville and Tennessee that, after nearly 23 years, you still remember with us that tragic day. You continue to honor our fallen with us, from both past conflicts and present,” said U.S Army Lt. Col. Tom Kunk.
The bridge is part of a $30 Million project to widen 101st Airborne Division Parkway (SR 374) and add a single point urban interchange at Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. TDOT estimates that more than 34,000 vehicles travel through that intersection each day.
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