Sen. Doyle joined by family, Mayor Grebien, and DOT Director Alviti to dedicate ???The Mayor James E. Doyle Pawtucket River Bridge???
Sen. James E. Doyle II (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) joined by his wife, Jackie, their daughter Paige, right, their son Jamie, center, and his nephew Tucker, left,?? at the dedication of The Mayor James E. Doyle Pawtucket River Bridge
PAWTUCKET ???At a ceremony held on Division Street, Sen. James E. Doyle II (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) was joined by his family, Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti to formally dedicate and rename the Pawtucket River Bridge to the Mayor James E. Doyle Pawtucket River Bridge.
???I want to thank everyone involved with this tremendous honor from the bottom of my heart.?? My family and I are speechless from the outpouring of love and affection toward my Dad that we have received since his passing,??? said Senator Doyle.?? ???My father loved Pawtucket and considered every single resident part of his family.?? He loved this city, he loved this bridge, and I know how touched and honored he would be if he was here with us today.?? Thank you everyone.???
???Mayor Doyle was a wonderful ambassador for Pawtucket and he will be missed tremendously,??? said Mayor Grebien.?? ???This is a well-deserved honor to a man who gave so much to this city for so long.?? It would be very hard for anyone who met James Doyle to forget him, but, this bridge will now ensure his loving memory will live on.???
???Mayor Doyle was a leader and a visionary,??? said Director Alviti.?? ???It was Mayor Doyle who lobbied us to allow Pawtucket artists and designers a chance to give input on the art deco-inspired Pawtucket River Bridge and it is only fitting that today we rename this beautiful structure in his honor.???
Mayor James E. Doyle, father of Senator Doyle, was the City of Pawtucket???s longest serving mayor, holding the position from 1997 to 2010.?? Before he was elected mayor, he served on the Pawtucket City Council for 27 years.?? Mayor Doyle recently passed away after waging a courageous battle with cancer in September.
The bridge renaming stemmed from legislation (2016-H 7555 / 2016-S 2330) passed this year by the General Assembly.?? In honor of the late mayor???s favorite color and proud Irish heritage, the bridge???s lights will shine a bright green.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence), Senate Finance Chairman Daniel Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence), Sen. William J. Conley (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket), Sen. Elizabeth A. Crowley (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket), Sen. Edward J. O???Neill (R-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield), Rep. Raymond H. Johnston (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket), Rep. Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket), Rep. Mary Duffy Messier (D-Dist. 62, Pawtucket), Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, State Police Colonel Ann Assumpico, North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi, Pawtucket City Council President David Moran, Pawtucket City Councilwoman Sandra Cano, Pawtucket City Councilwoman Mary Bray, Pawtucket City Councilman Mark Wildenhain, and Pawtucket School Committee member Joseph Knight.