Signs on both the eastern and western approaches to the “U.S. Army SGT Kenneth R. Lucas Memorial Bridge” were uncovered on Tuesday, August 27th.

The bridge over Hurricane Creek on U.S. Route 60 was without a name until House of Delegate member Jarred Cannon pushed a bill through the legislature to name the structure the “U.S. Army SGT Kenneth R. Lucas Memorial Bridge” earlier this year.

The bridge was constructed during the administration of Landon C. White who served as Hurricane mayor in the early 1950’s at which time the highway was rerouted to bypass Main Street. The bridge had been unnamed for almost seventy years.

The signs, unmasked on Tuesday, August 27, were cause for wonder because few individuals knew Kenneth R. Lucas. Kenneth R. Lucas was the twelfth of twelve children of Charles G. and Winnie Lucas. He grew up on the Lucas farm on Route 34 South. He played football and graduated from Hurricane High School in 1948. He passed in 2023 at the age of 92.

After serving as a Sergeant with the 14th Armored Cavalry in Germany during the Korean War era, he returned to Hurricane and was employed by Union Carbide, Institute Plant, for many years.

During his high school years, he was a classmate to late Putnam County Bank president Jack Wilson. Both Jack and Kenneth were members of the football team and graduated in 1948.

Family members in the Hurricane area include Kenneth’s son, Nathan, and nephew, Randy Lucas.

House Concurrent Resolution 67, naming the bridge, follows:

HOUSE CONCURRENT Resolution 67
(By Delegates Cannon, Crouse, Foster, and Butler)
[Introduced February 1, 2024; Referred to the Committee on Technology and Infrastructure then Rules]

Requesting the Division of Highways name the bridge where U.S. Route 60 crosses Hurricane Creek, near the intersection of U.S. Route 60 and State Route 34, the “U.S. Army SGT Kenneth R. Lucas Memorial Bridge.”
Whereas, Kenneth R. Lucas, originally from Hurricane, WV, lived a life of distinction worthy of being remembered; and
Whereas, Mr. Lucas was the last of 12 children from a family who has resided in Hurricane since the 1870’s; and
Whereas, Mr. Lucas was a graduate of Hurricane High School in 1948; and
Whereas, Mr. Lucas enlisted in the United States Army to serve as a Sergeant in the Tank Company, 14th Armored Cavalry; and
Whereas, Mr. Lucas returned from his service and worked for many years at the Union Carbide plant in Institute, WV; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the bridge where U.S. Route 60 cross Hurricane Creek, near the intersection of U.S. Route 60 and State Route 34, the “U.S. Army SGT Kenneth R. Lucas Memorial Bridge.”; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to erect signs containing bold and prominent letters identifying the bridge as the “U.S. Army SGT Kenneth R. Lucas Memorial Bridge”; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.