The City of Martin is hosting a contest to rename the Highway 43 Bypass.

Martin Mayor Randy Brundige is asking for help from the community to rename the bypass that runs through the intersection of University Street where McDonald’s sits and ends at the Hwy. 45 exit to Milan.

The highway will continue to be designated as Hwy. 43 on the State map but a new, more recognizable name will give the roadway its own personalized identity.

“We want to personalize one of the main arteries in Martin by giving it a name that reflects a little about our town, our University and our citizens,” Mayor Brundige said.

The City of Martin will be accepting suggestions for names and the reason for the name until Friday, Jan. 24th. After all suggestions have been compiled, the citizens of Martin along with UTM students will be able to vote online for their favorite name.

Voting online will begin Jan. 27th by going to www.martintennessee.org/vote.html. The bypass name with the majority of votes pending approval from the City Board of Mayor and Alderman will be selected. The winning name will be announced at a city board meeting and the winner will be recognized with a certificate.

All participants are asked to be creative in their suggestions. Suggestions that include the name or names of individuals will not be accepted.

Applications can be obtained from the Martin City Hall or by calling the Martin Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) office with the proposed name and the reason for submitting the name.

For more information about the contest or to nominate a new name for the bypass, call MEDC Executive Director Hollie Vowell at 588-2507.