Dedicates a portion of the state highway system to Trooper Arthur A. Reddy

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Monica Martinez

The bill ceremonially dedicates the Deer Park Avenue bridge over the Southern State Parkway to Trooper Arthur A. Reddy, with DOT signage, while preserving the bridge’s official nam

REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

Overview

This bill would dedicate a specific bridge along the state highway system in Suffolk County to a named law enforcement officer, Trooper Arthur A. Reddy. It establishes ceremonial recognition while preserving the bridge’s official legal name and ensuring signage to honor the tribute without disrupting commerce.

Main purpose and intent

To honor Trooper Arthur A. Reddy by dedicating a portion of the state highway system—the bridge over the Southern State Parkway on Deer Park Avenue between Parkdale Drive and Sylvan Road in the Town of Babylon, Suffolk County.

The dedication is ceremonial in nature, designed to recognize the officer without altering the bridge’s legal name or causing commerce-related confusion.

Key provisions and changes

Creation of new section 344-s of the Highway Law:

Specifies the bridge over the Southern State Parkway on Deer Park Avenue (between Parkdale Drive and Sylvan Road, Town of Babylon, Suffolk County) is dedicated to Trooper Arthur A. Reddy.

Signage and maintenance:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must provide installation and maintenance of appropriate signing for the dedication.
Signage must state: “Bridge Dedicated to Trooper Arthur A. Reddy.”

Ceremonial nature and branding:

The dedication is explicitly described as ceremonial.
The official name of the bridge shall not be changed as a result of the act, to avoid confusion or disruption to commerce.

Who or what would be affected

The bridge identified in the bill (the Deer Park Avenue bridge over the Southern State Parkway in the specified vicinity) would receive the ceremonial dedication.

DOT operations:

DOT would install and maintain the signage reflecting the dedication.

General public and commerce:

The measure aims to minimize any potential disruption to commerce by preserving the bridge’s existing official name and focusing on ceremonial designation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the State Senate on January 8, 2026 (S08844A, amended version).

Referred to the Transportation Committee with subsequent actions indicating a committee amendment and re-recommendation.

Action history shows a May 29, 2026 amendment and recommitment to Transportation, and prior printing as bill 8844A.

Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.

Summary

S. 8844-A proposes a ceremonial dedication of the Deer Park Avenue bridge over the Southern State Parkway (Town of Babylon, Suffolk County) to Trooper Arthur A. Reddy. It requires DOT to install and maintain appropriate signage naming the bridge dedication, while preserving the bridge’s official name to avoid any disruption to commerce. The act would take effect immediately if enacted.