The SH 242 bridge over I-69 in Splendora, Texas, has been renamed to honor U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez. The dedication was carried out through the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Memorial Sign Program, which allows families to commemorate loved ones lost in the line of duty with signs along state highways.
TxDOT collaborated closely with the Hernandez family to create and place the memorial signs at the bridge. The agency emphasized ensuring that the unveiling ceremony was conducted respectfully.
Lance Cpl. Hernandez’s mother, Ana, spoke about the significance of the dedication. “When we drove Armando to the airport at the end of his leave, his little sister began crying uncontrollably,” she said. “Armando hugged her tightly and promised she would always see him come home. After we lost him in an on-duty accident in Okinawa, Japan, I knew I had to keep that promise.”
“We worked to bring Armando home, even coordinating logistics so that his body would arrive in Splendora first,” she said “His procession drew hundreds of people lining the streets. The last exit before home is this bridge. When we passed beneath it, people were holding American flags and a sign that read, ‘Welcome Home, Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez.’ I looked up and silently told my son, ‘Your promise was kept.’”
Hernandez added that the bridge will serve as a lasting tribute to her son’s service and sacrifice. “This bridge is now a permanent reminder that his service mattered, his sacrifice is honored, and that people came together to turn a mother’s wish into reality,” she said. “I am truly grateful to everyone who worked alongside us with love and compassion. Armando lived by the quote, ‘If Not Me, Then Who?’—it inspired him to serve, and it was the drive behind this dedication.”
State Representative Janis Holt authored House Bill 2061 authorizing the naming of the bridge. She commented on its broader meaning: “The naming of the Lance Corporal Armando Hernandez Memorial Bridge is far more than a sign on a highway—it is a permanent reminder of a young Marine who gave his life for our nation and a mother who never stopped fighting to honor him,” Holt said. “This memorial represents the very best of our communities, when families, state leaders, and local partners like TxDOT come together to ensure our heroes are never forgotten.”
TxDOT staff managed all aspects from fabrication to placement of signage while adhering to safety guidelines and policies. Lynn Champagne, TxDOT maintenance supervisor in Montgomery County stated: “The family requested the signs near a specific bridge on FM 242,” he said. “We scoped the area and identified the safest location with the best visibility while staying within TxDOT policy.”
The ceremony brought together residents, law enforcement officials, community members and family in remembrance of Lance Cpl. Hernandez’s legacy.
Recent initiatives by transportation agencies include new guidance and $7.3 billion in formula funding announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; these efforts aim to help states prepare for extreme weather events such as wildfires or flooding.
Additionally,the Department of Transportation recently convened partners involved in Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW), an initiative focused on improving supply chain efficiency through innovative data sharing.
Other recent DOT actions include awarding $19.6 million in grants through its Small Shipyard Grant Program for modernization projects across 24 small shipyards nationwide; as well as announcing winners for its Inclusive Design Challenge to improve mobility options for people with disabilities.
