SALT LAKE CITY — Redwood Road from 2100 South to 1700 North is now officially named the Pete Suazo Memorial Highway.
Gov. Gary R. Herbert ceremonially signed SB117 into law Wednesday at the Pete Suazo Business Center to make the designation.
Suazo served in the Utah House and Utah Senate until his death in an all-terrain vehicle accident in 2001. Suazo represented some of Salt Lake City's west-side neighborhoods, the area where Redwood Road, which is state Route 68, is being renamed.
Gov. Herbert said Suazo was a pioneer of the modern era.
"People have fond memories of Pete for his contributions," he said, explaining that it takes many achievements to get a road named after you. He also said Suazo had a significant impact on not just the area, but the entire state.
"Pete loved the west side," said Suazo's wife, Alicia Suazo. "This was his city, his home. He knew every street."
She said he trapped muskrats along the Jordan River in his youth, floated the river and secretly rode the train to school.
"He fought for west-side issues. … We are so honored to have Redwood Road named after him," she said, stressing, however, that he probably wouldn't think he deserves the honor.
The change won't cost the state additional money because signs calling the road "Pete Suazo Memorial Highway" will probably only go up as the Utah Department of Transportation replaces existing signs in the future.
"That will be a red-letter day when these signs go up," Herbert said.
The stretch of specially named highway is approximately five miles long, and a new state highway map next spring will reflect the change. The Senate Transportation Committee had unanimously approved SB117, sponsored by Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City.
"It's the most important bill I've passed so far and has an emotional tie to me," Robles said.
After graduating from college, Robles worked with Suazo on a piece of legislation. She once described the experience as life-changing. She had never seriously considered a career in politics, but working with Suazo changed her mind.
"It's was a no-brainer to make this happen," Robles said of the street naming.
"Why Redwood Road?" she asked. "It's where he worked most of the time."
The Pete Suazo Business Center, 960 W. 1700 South, is a nonprofit development that also honors his legacy.
e-mail: lynn@desnews.com