JEFFERSON CITY—The governor signed into law this week legislation containing a provision based on a bill sponsored by Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, to name a portion of Interstate 70 leading up to the new Mississippi River bridge in St. Louis after Andy Gammon, a local construction worker who lost his life while building the bridge.

House Bill 303 designates the section of I-70 that runs up to the half-way point of the new Mississippi River bridge, or the Illinois state line, the “Andy Gammon Memorial Highway,” among other provisions.

Senator Romine, who worked with Rep. Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, to get the legislation through both chambers, hopes the designation provides a little peace for Andy’s family.

“There’s nothing that can really lessen the grief of losing a loved one,” said Sen. Romine, “but I hope Andy’s family takes some small comfort in knowing his memory will live on through this designation.”

Gammon was 35 years old when he lost his life in a crane accident during construction of the bridge in 2012. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

“This legislation says a lot about us as a state—that we don’t just care about famous athletes and celebrities, that in the eyes of Missouri, being a good man who cared about his family and community and his state is no less worthy of memorializing than someone who hit hundreds of home runs,” said Rep. Engler. “I was proud to work with my colleagues on getting this bill passed.”

Senator Romine said he and other local officials will be working with Gammon’s family and friends in creating a fund to pay for the memorial signs.

“Although Rep. Engler and I did a lot of the foot work, it was really Andy’s family and community that rallied support for this measure,” said Sen. Romine. “They’re the ones who fought to see a good man remembered. I’m looking forward to working with them in raising the funds to pay for the memorial signs.”

Having receiving the governor’s signature, House Bill 303 will go into effect Aug. 28.

For more information on Sen. Romine’s legislation, visit his official Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/romine.