May 31, 2007 From the Times News

A bridge for 'A.J.'

Officials want new structurenamed after Iraq casualty

By JOSH CUSATIS

jcusatistnonline.com

A request has been made to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to have the new, proposed Route 903 bridge in Jim Thorpe named in honor of the late, United States Army Sgt. Andrew "A.J." Baddick.

Jim Thorpe Borough Council President William Maurer said that a letter has been sent to PennDOT asking for the moniker.

"The bridge will be owned by PennDOT, but this is something that they have done in the past," Maurer said. "They usually allow a bit of leniency to local municipalities in these matters."

The borough has been working with Rep. Keith McCall (D-122nd) to get this matter through the proper channels.

"This is a process that takes a long time," Maurer said.

Baddick died on Sept. 29, 2003 while serving in Iraq. He attempted to rescue another soldier whose military Humvee swerved off a road to avoid an obstacle and fell into a canal. Baddick, who served with the 82nd Airborne, drowned in the rescue attempt.

"This is special because A.J. was the first person from the Jim Thorpe community to be killed in Iraq," Maurer said noting that the letter to PennDOT also requested that the bridge carry a name along the lines of the Iraqi War Memorial Bridge if the Baddick request is not amenable.

Last week, PennDOT officials unveiled plans to replace the ailing Route 903 bridge, which is 54 years old, in a public meeting held at Memorial Hall. Although three alternatives were presented, the preferred alternative would be to construct a new, modern bridge off the end of North Street at a possible cost of between $12-million and $13-million. In a best-case scenario, the new bridge could be open for traffic in 2012.

The current Route 903 bridge, which will likely be demolished once the new bridge is opened, has a plaque on its east end near River Street that reads, "Laura Thomas: In honor of one of the original founders of the 'Rafting Against Cancer Race 1977.' Presented this day 13th day of July, 1997."