U.S. 395 could be renamed for the late House Speaker Tom Foley

OLYMPIA – U.S. 395 would be called the Thomas S. “Tom” Foley Memorial Highway between Canada and the Oregon border under a proposal under consideration by the Washington Senate.

The House Transportation Committee was urged Wednesday to support the change by the state commission that has authority over naming state roads. Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, said the honor would be fitting for the 30-year congressman and former House speaker who “believed strongly in maintaining and improving infrastructure.”

During his tenure, Foley has a legacy of setting partisan differences aside and secured some $289 million for improvements on the highway, Riccelli said.

The memorial recommends the State Transportation Commission approve the name change and sets aside $39,000 to create and install 10 signs at points along the highway.