With its towers miming the nearby monument and its cables suggesting a patina of strength, the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge punctuates the Boston skyline with grace and vigor. It is settling into our collective consciousness as an icon as sweet and powerful as, say, Kenmore’s Citgo sign or downtown’s Custom House tower. As the debate over the naming of the bridge fades from memory, the bridge will continue to stand in tribute to " Lenny, " a truly remarkable man who, through his leadership of the Boston branch of the Anti-Defamation League, built untold bridges of understanding between and among those of differing beliefs, creeds, ethnicities, and sexualities. That is why last year the Phoenix so vigorously editorialized that Lenny be honored by having this bridge dedicated to his memory. The unwieldy name is on the books, but through common usage — driven perhaps by our modern-day town criers, the helicopter radio and TV traffic reporters — the structure is being called simply the Zakim Bridge.

Even in death, Lenny graces our city. It all becomes official this Sunday at the formal dedication. The public is invited to walk the bridge from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. It’s free, and no tickets are required.