I-5 bridge celebrates man named ‘Punk’

ARLINGTON — People called him “Punk.”

Oliver Smith dedicated much of his outspoken life to public service.

He served 20 years on the Arlington City Council and spent the last few years of his life working to build an expanded overpass at I-5 and 172nd Street NE.

Smith died in 2006 at 71.

Now a cadre of politicians and supporters want to memorialize Smith and even his nickname.

A measure to rename the I-5-172nd Street NE overpass the Oliver “Punk” Smith Interchange passed through the state House of Representatives and is awaiting a Senate vote.

On Tuesday, the Senate Transportation Committee passed it to the Rules Committee, which decides if and when to send the measure to the full Senate.

“I think it’d be a fitting tribute to a man who loved his community and wanted to ease the transportation burden,” said Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, who is sponsoring the tribute. “He had a real passion for that and he did a great job of leading.”

Last year, the measure made it to the Senate, but wasn’t voted on.

Pearson feels that the tribute will be approved this year, possibly in the next few weeks.

“I’m confident,” he said. “This year I’ve got strong support.”

Reporter Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292 or kmanry@heraldnet.com.