An Act designating a certain bridge in the city of New Bedford in the memory of Silver Star recipient Corporal Francis J. McHugh

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Montigny

Designates Bridge N-06-024(3Y0) on Philips Road over Route 140 in New Bedford as the Corporal Francis J. McHugh Memorial Bridge, with commemorative markers installed by MassDOT.

Overview

Title: An Act designating a certain bridge in the city of New Bedford in memory of Silver Star recipient Corporal Francis J. McHugh

Purpose: To designate a specific bridge in New Bedford as the Corporal Francis J. McHugh Memorial Bridge in honor of a U.S. Army veteran and Silver Star recipient from World War II.

Introduced (per bill text): January 17, 2025, in the 194th General Court (2025-2026). Presented by Sen. Mark C. Montigny. Senate Docket No. 2603; Senate Bill No. 2425.

Current status: Not specified in the provided materials. The bill is described as a proposed act.

Key Provisions

Designation:

Designates Bridge N-06-024(3Y0), Philips Road over Route 140, in the City of New Bedford.
The bridge will be named and known as the “Corporal Francis J. McHugh Memorial Bridge.”

Honoree:

Corporal Francis J. McHugh, a veteran of the United States Army who served in World War II.
Award: Silver Star for gallantry in saving a fellow soldier at personal risk.

Marker and signage:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is required to erect and maintain suitable markers bearing the designation.
Markers must comply with MassDOT standards.

Affected Parties and Impact

Affected Infrastructure: A specific bridge on Philips Road over Route 140 in New Bedford (Bridge N-06-024(3Y0)).

Governmental/Agency Impact: MassDOT responsible for installation and ongoing maintenance of commemorative markers.

Public Impact: Local and visiting motorists and residents will encounter the memorial designation reflected in signage; preserves historical memory of a WWII hero.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

Process: Standard designation process in the Massachusetts General Court where the bridge is renamed via statute; MassDOT signage follows designation.

Effective Date: The bill text does not state a separate effective date; designation would take effect upon enactment (as with most symbolic name-designation acts). MassDOT signage to be installed per department standards.

Fiscal Considerations: No explicit funding appropriation is provided in the bill text; cost implications would relate to signage production and installation, handled within MassDOT’s regular operations.

Context and Significance

The designation serves as a public remembrance of Corporal Francis J. McHugh’s valor and sacrifice during World War II.

Aligns with other memorial bridge designations honoring veteran service members in Massachusetts.

The act emphasizes recognition through official naming and standardized commemorative signage rather than creating new programs or funding.

If you’d like, I can add a brief biosketch of Corporal McHugh or compare this bill to similar Massachusetts memorial designation acts.

Bill