LANSING, NY (CortacaToday) – Several New York highways, overpasses, and bridges have been officially dedicated, including one in Lansing.

Governor Hochul signed legislation on Friday officially renaming the State 34B bridge over Salmon Creek as the Peter Wheeler Memorial Bridge. The bridge, completed in July 2022, now honors Wheeler, who escaped slavery in nearby Ludlowville in the early 1800s.

In April, the Lansing Town Board voted in support of naming the bridge after Wheeler, who was taken as a baby and ultimately sold at age 11 to a man who moved him to Ludlowville.

“He suffered brutal treatment at the hands of his enslaver before escaping and going on to live life as a world traveler and sailor, writing a one-of-a-kind autobiography that can still be found in paperback today, Chains and Freedom,” said Assemblymember Anna Kelles. “The Peter Wheeler Bridge serves as a testament to the resilience of African American people throughout our history who had their liberties stolen from them through slavery. Thank you to the Town of Lansing for honoring Peter Wheeler and to Governor Hochul for supporting this effort to ensure we face our past with honesty, honor those who fought for freedom and justice, and mark a path of equity forward into our future.”

The completion of the bridge was widely celebrated in Lansing after a lengthy closure and associated detours. It was celebrated across the country as well.

The American Institute of Steel Construction and National Steel Bridge Alliance awarded the bridge its 2024 Prize Bridge Merit Award in February. It was recognized in the Medium Span category for its innovation in engineering, unique aesthetics, and advanced construction techniques. It’s the highest honor in the U.S. structural steel industry and is only given every two years.

“I am grateful to Governor Hochul for signing this legislation that memorializes Peter Wheeler, an enslaved man who fought against the barriers caused by slavery, to become a symbol of courage and resilience,” said State Senator Lea Webb. “This act ensures that Wheeler’s story, and the lesson it imparts, will continue to inspire future generations. By designating the new bridge over Salmon Creek as the ‘Peter Wheeler Memorial Bridge,’ we not only honor his legacy but also acknowledge his impact within Tompkins County and our state.”

The Peter Wheeler Memorial Bridge is the longest structure with a slanted steel leg support style in New York and carries an estimated 7,500 vehicles a day.

Five other bills were signed to officially rename highways, overpasses, and bridges in the New York City area, Long Island, and North Country.