Bridge rededicated to 9/11 victims

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Friday morning honored the memory of a local couple killed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Officials and family members were on hand for the rededication of the "Lynn Goodchild, Shawn Nassaney 9/11 Remembrance Memorial Bridge," which connects Attleboro with Pawtucket. 

"Shawn and Lynn were such a part of both communities, Attleboro and Pawtucket. Shawn being from Pawtucket and Lynn being from Attleboro, that it's great to have a bridge that connects both communities," said Ryan Nassaney, Shawn's brother.

• Photos: Local Victims of 9/11
• Photos: Remembering 9/11

This is the second time the former County St. Bridge has been dedicated in Goodchild and Nassaney's memory.

Repair and renovation work was finished a year ago, and the city of Attleboro held its own rededication ceremony.

However, The State of Massachusetts owns the bridge and the name change was not official until the Massachusetts Legislature passed and Gov. Deval Patrick signed a law approving it.

"We like to do things quick in Attleboro and we kind of jumped the gun," said state Rep. George Ross, who spearheaded the bill at State House. "The state owns this bridge and we had to get permission, so it had to go through the legislative process. It was a long process."

Goodchild and Nassaney were en route to Hawaii when they boarded United Airlines flight 175 in Boston on Sept. 11, 2001. While in the air, terrorists hijacked the plane and flew it into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Some 3,000 people were killed that day in four terrorist hijackings in all, which led to a worldwide War on Terrorism.

And even though it's been more than 10 years since that dark day, family members are still touched by the community support they've received.

"It's heartwarming to know that Shawn and Lynn still have the thoughts of so many people," said Patrick Nassaney, Shawn Nassaney's father.