CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Naming Options for Bridge over Salt Creek at Bradley Road MEETING DATE: July 15, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Gabbi Cao, Community Services Manager
REVIEWED BY: Mariana Mitchell, Community Services Director APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Review and approve the proposed amendment to the Park Facility Naming Policy (Policy CC- 17) to expand applicability to include all City-owned facilities and public infrastructure; and
2. Designate a name and preferred identification method(s) for the Bradley Bridge over Salt Creek - Capital Improvement Program Project 13-04 (CIP 13-04).
DISCUSSION
On February 4, 2026, City Council discussed the opportunity to name the bridge currently being constructed over the Salt Creek Trail at Bradley Road in recognition of the veterans who live in and around the community. Council expressed interest in selecting a bridge name that appropriately honors the service and sacrifices of local veterans and reflects the City’s commitment to supporting the veteran and military-connected community. City Council subsequently directed staff to engage the Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee (VMFAC) to solicit feedback on potential naming options. This approach recognized the Committee's role as a representative voice for Menifee's veteran and military community and ensured that those most closely connected to military service had an opportunity to provide meaningful input into the commemorative process.
Consistent with this direction and intent, staff presented this discussion item to the Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee at its March 16, 2026, meeting to gather input on the naming recommendations. To facilitate discussion, staff provided six (6) preliminary naming options for the Committee’s consideration while also inviting VMFAC members to propose additional naming alternatives should they identify a name they believed more appropriately reflected the purpose of honoring veterans and military servicemembers.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Naming Options for Bridge over Salt Creek at Bradley Road July 15, 2026
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The staff-provided naming options included:
Veterans Tribute Bridge
Legacy of Heroes Bridge
Freedom Bridge
Service and Sacrifice Bridge
Bridge of Honor
Valor Bridge
VMFAC reviewed and discussed the naming options and considered whether additional alternatives should be recommended. Following discussion, the Committee identified “Freedom Bridge” and “Bridge of Honor” as its two preferred recommendations for City Council consideration. VMFAC expressed that both names broadly recognize and honor the service, sacrifice, and contributions of veterans and active-duty servicemembers without reference to a specific military branch, conflict, or era of service, making them inclusive of all who have served.
The Bradley Bridge over Salt Creek (CIP 13-04) is a significant capital improvement project for the City. The project includes construction of a 365-foot bridge designed to current structural, seismic, and hydraulic standards, with two vehicle travel lanes, dedicated bicycle lanes, and sidewalks in each direction. As a highly visible and frequently utilized piece of public infrastructure, the naming of the bridge presents an opportunity to create a lasting tribute that aligns with the City’s commitment to recognizing its military community. The bridge is scheduled to be open to the public in the Fall of 2026. A rendering of the completed bridge is shown below as Image 1.
IMAGE 1 – RENDERING OF BRADLEY BRIDGE (FACING SOUTHEAST)
In conjunction with the naming discussion, staff also recommend the approval of an amendment to the existing Facility Naming Policy (Policy CC-17). The current Park and Recreation Facility Naming Policy apply only to parks and recreation facilities. The proposed amendment expands the policy’s applicability to include all City-owned parks, facilities, and public infrastructure, thereby establishing a consistent and formalized process for naming assets such as bridges, trails, and other capital improvement projects.
Approval of the amended policy would provide clear guidance for future naming considerations and ensure alignment with the City’s values, historical context, and community input.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Naming Options for Bridge over Salt Creek at Bradley Road July 15, 2026
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BRIDGE AND IDENTIFICATION OPTIONS
Following City Council's selection of a bridge name, staff would implement an appropriate identification method consistent with site constraints and applicable regulations. After conferring with the Public Work Department, Engineering Division to discuss logistical guidelines and limitations, the following feedback was provided.
Due to the bridge’s location, placement of any marker or signage must consider several physical and jurisdictional limitations. One side of the bridge is adjacent to a multi-use bike path and walking trail, while the opposite side is an access road owned and maintained by the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. Additionally, the slope and grade of the embankments on either side of the bridge limit opportunities for ground-mounted signage. As such, identification elements should be incorporated directly onto the bridge structure or existing infrastructure.
In accordance with Caltrans requirements, all bridges must display the bridge name and identification number, typically painted directly on the structure or through a permanently affixed bronze plaque. Based on these requirements and site conditions, staff have identified three primary options for Council consideration:
Bronze Plaque: Installation of a bronze plaque mounted to the interior face of the bridge's concrete barrier rail on both sides of the bridge. The plaques would display the selected bridge name and provide a permanent and durable identification element integrated directly into the bridge structure. This option offers a traditional form of recognition commonly used for public infrastructure and commemorative projects. The estimated cost for fabrication of two plaques is approximately $1,800, with installation performed by City staff. An example of a bronze plaque is shown below as Image 2.
IMAGE 2 – EXAMPLE OF BRONZE PLAQUE
Reflective Street Signage: Installation of printed aluminum signs with reflective vinyl mounted to existing light poles on both sides of the bridge and oriented toward oncoming traffic. This option provides enhanced visibility for motorists while maintaining flexibility in design and placement.
The estimated cost for two signs is approximately $150, with installation performed by City staff.
An example of a reflective street sign is shown below as Image 3.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Naming Options for Bridge over Salt Creek at Bradley Road July 15, 2026
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IMAGE 3 – EXAMPLE OF REFLECTIVE STREET SIGNAGE
Vinyl Pole Banner: Installation of full-color, custom vinyl banners mounted to the light poles along both sides of the bridge corridor. This option provides flexibility to display not only the selected bridge name but also additional commemorative elements. One potential approach would be to install a coordinated series of seven banners consisting of the selected bridge name together with recognition of each of the six branches of the United States Armed Forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard). The seven-banner series would be repeated on both sides of the bridge, creating a cohesive and symmetrical tribute visible to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians traveling in either direction.
Similar in design to the City's existing Military Banner Program, this option would create a highly visible and recognizable display while maintaining visual consistency with established commemorative installations throughout the community. The estimated cost is approximately $325 per banner, including design, fabrication, and installation. Depending on the final design selected by City Council, costs could range from approximately $650 for two entrance banners displaying only the bridge name to approximately $4,550 for a full fourteen-banner installation featuring the bridge name and all six military branches. An example of a vinyl pole banner is shown below as Image 4.
IMAGE 4 – EXAMPLE OF VINYL POLE BANNER
City of Menifee Staff Report
Naming Options for Bridge over Salt Creek at Bradley Road July 15, 2026
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All three options are intended to ensure the selected bridge name is clearly visible and accessible to the public while meeting regulatory requirements and accommodating site-specific constraints.
Staff would incorporate Council's feedback regarding the preferred identification method(s) and proceed with final design development and implementation consistent with the approved budget and site requirements.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Unique Identity
FISCAL IMPACT
Implementation of the selected bridge identification method will result in costs associated with the production and installation of commemorative signage or displays. Estimated costs range from approximately $150 for reflective street signage, $1,800 for bronze plaques, and up to approximately $4,550 for a full vinyl banner installation featuring the selected bridge name and recognition of the six branches of the United States Armed Forces. Any associated costs can be accommodated within the existing CIP 13-04 project budget.
Should City Council select the vinyl banner option, future replacement costs would need to be considered as part of the City's operating budget, as vinyl banners typically have an expected service life of approximately two years before replacement is required due to weathering and normal wear.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Park, Facility and Public Infrastructure Naming Policy – Redline
2. Park, Facility and Public Infrastructure Naming Policy – Clean