Kirkland Transportation Committee recommends naming N.E. 116th Street overpass for Nielson

Two years and two days after Kollin Nielson was struck by a drunk driver and killed while working on the I-405 Kirkland Nickel

Stage 1 Widening Project, the Kirkland Transportation Commision voted unanimously to recommend to the Kirkland City Council that the N.E. 116th Street bridge over I-405 be renamed for Nielson.

"My only concern is that the wording be expanded so that the public knows how it happened," said Commission Member Tom Neir, on Wednesday.

The naming of the overpass was supposed to be a done deal by now but a bill introduced in Olympia got lost in the shuffle last fall. Spearheading the charge was Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue) and Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina), who were both in attendance and testified.

"This was a difficult year with the budget and I would like for you to correct our mistake," said Hunter, who testified at the meeting.

"For every time someone is stopped for driving drunk it is estimated that they have done it 200 times," Testified Tom. "This would serve as a reminder to drive safe."

Kirkland Deputy Mayor Joan McBride also testified in favor of the renaming as a citizen.

"I think that this is a wonderful thing that we can do," said McBride. "He lost his life while carrying out his duties. These facilities don't just happen."

Only one person testified against the naming, while three of Nielson's co-workers gave tearful testimonies of what happened during the accident.

"He had recently returned from a fight with cancer and the birth of his son Luke," said Dave Zemick, Nielson's former boss. "It would serve as a tool to remind people to pump the breaks."

Neilson, who was 30, is survived by his young son and wife Sara.

Kirkland Transportation Commission made a recommendation to the Council to send a letter, signed by the Mayor, to the Washington State Transportation Commission in support of the memorial naming. The Kirkland City Council will take up the recommendation at the July 7 Council meeting.

Contact Kirkland Reporter Staff Writer Matt Phelps at mphelps@kirklandreporter.com or 425-822-9166 ext. 5052.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.