Lebanon — City officials are asking for the public’s help in naming a bridge that connects West Lebanon to Hartford.

A public forum is scheduled for Thursday night at the Mount Lebanon School to solicit input.

Finding a name for the bridge, which opened last November on Route 4, has proven difficult for city and state officials. Last spring, City Council heard from groups in support of naming it after Korean War veterans, all veterans and in honor of historic West Lebanon families.

Initially, naming the bridge was a state project, but the city became actively involved after a Londonderry, N.H., senator proposed naming it after Korean War veterans.

Sen. Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, proposed the name change after speaking with members of the New Hampshire Korean War Veterans Association.

They say a bridge connecting the Twin States on Interstate 89 honors Vietnam veterans, and argue they also deserve recognition.

Carson’s bill failed to gain traction, however, when Lebanon’s state delegation found out the city wasn’t given input. They requested more time to gather that, and the state Senate Transportation Committee agreed.

During a City Council meeting in March, residents also proposed naming the bridge in honor of all veterans, saying something more encompassing is needed. Others made the case to name the bridge in honor of historic Lebanon families, and pointed to the Danas as an example.

William Dana was the first settler to make Lebanon home in 1763, according to city historian Ed Ashey, and built the first public house near the bridge’s current location.

During the March meeting, councilors decided to form a task force, which is expected to make a decision this fall, as well as planning how to best pay for signage and maintenance.

The bridge naming public forum will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the Mount Lebanon School multipurpose room.

Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.