Maxwell Bridge to honor killed construction worker

The dedication plaque for the new Maxwell Bridge will pay tribute to the worker who died during a construction accident two years ago.

Former county Supervisor Thomas Maxwell will continue to receive naming honors, but the new plaque will also commemorate Richard C. Stevens who died on Dec. 3, 2003, the Napa City Council said Tuesday.

The bottom of the plaque will read: "In memory of: Richard Christopher Stevens 1983-2003."

The wording was worked out with Stevens' family and Caltrans which is supervising the bridge's construction, city officials said.

There was talk after the fatal accident of naming the bridge for Stevens. His mother maintained an impromptu memorial near the site for a year.

Stevens died when a temporary form for a concrete pour collapsed.

The bridge, which began carrying two lanes of traffic a year ago, is scheduled to be completed this spring. The opening is scheduled for April.

Napa Valley Register Copyright © 2009