HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                      4081

Enactment of my Administration's transportation revenue
program by the 1982 Session of the General Assembly made it
possible to finance the new U.S. Route 50 bridge over the
Choptank River as a toll free Transportation Trust Fund project.
Therefore, it is appropriate to delete the requirement that the
bridge be a toll facility project. With respect to the new
naming of the bridge, however, I note that the existing U.S.
Route 50 bridge is named the "Emerson C. Harrington -Bridge," in
commemoration of Maryland's distinguished Fifty-first Governor.
Governor Harrington was a lifelong resident of Dorchester County,
and his descendants still reside in the area. I believe it is
most appropriate to continue to honor the memory of his fine
dedicated public service by retaining his name for the new
replacement structure. To not do so would certainly be
inappropriate.

In acting on this matter, I wish to emphasize that it is not
my intent to cause embarrassment for Senator Malkus, a
distinguished member of the Maryland Senate for 34 years, but it
is only out of respect for another distinguished Eastern
Shoreman, Governor Harrington. In recognition of the Senator's
long record of public service, and pursuant to the intent of his
legislative colleagues, I will propose to the Transportation
Commission that the new Vienna Bridge crossing the Nanticoke
River be named in his honor.

For these reasons, I have decided to veto House Bill 1610.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

House Bill No. 1610

AN ACT concerning

Maryland Transportation Authority ----Choptank River Bridge

FOR the purpose of repealing the power of the Maryland
Transportation Authority to condemn property for the
Choptank River Bridge transportation facilities project;
eliminating the requirements that the Maryland
Transportation Authority construct, operate, and maintain a
bridge across the Choptank River in a certain manner;
repealing the power of the Authority to enter into certain
trust agreements and take other action relating to the
Choptank River Bridge; providing for the naming of the
Choptank River Bridge; and generally relating to repealing
certain provisions concerning the Choptank River Bridge
transportation facilities project.