New Bedford mayor proposes to name new bridge in honor of veteran

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell has proposed to name the City’s new pedestrian bridge in honor of U.S. Army Corporal Andre A. Lopes.

The current bridge over John F. Kennedy Boulevard, which is dedicated to Cpl. Lopes, will be demolished due to the construction of a new bridge, which is expected to open this year.

As a result, the mayor wants to transfer the name of the old bridge, to the new bridge, according to the City of New Bedford.

“After his Army service in WWII, Corporal Lopes reenlisted to fight in Korea, serving again with distinction,” Mayor Mitchell said. “Naming the new bridge in his honor will perpetuate Cpl. Lopes’s legacy of patriotism, service and courage.”

Cpl. Lopes joined the army at 18-years-old in 1944, and came home to New Bedford three years later. He then reenlisted during the Korean War and “suffered a serious injury in a missile attack that resulted in the loss of his leg” in 1953, according to the City of New Bedford.

Cpl. Lopes returned back to New Bedford in 1954 and received the Purple Heart. In 1957, he died at the age of 31.

U.S. Army Corporal Andre A. Lopes (courtesy: City of New Bedford)

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is “nearing completion of the bridge,” which will be 240 feet long, and connect Purchase Street to the Whale’s Tooth parking lot and inner-city rail station.