A petition has been launched to name the new Disraeli Bridge in Winnipeg after Kaitlyn Fraser, who died when her SUV crashed through the guardrail last month.

Fraser, 19, was driving in the southbound lanes of the current bridge on Jan. 18 when she lost control. The vehicle fell about 14 metres and landed upside down on the frozen riverbank.

Kaitlyn Fraser's SUV fell about 14 metres onto the frozen riverbank, landing on its roof. (CBC)

Fraser's sister, Nessa Kirkpatrick, has started a petition to have the city rename the bridge as a permanent memorial because a life of such promise was cut short.

"She had always really wanted to be a doctor and she would have done amazing things for people, so we just think it would be nice if the city would do something in her honour," Kirkpatrick said.

Kirkpatrick started the petition on Tuesday and collected 165 signatures. She's not sure how many names she needs but said she will get as many as possible before presenting it to the city.

"And I have friends from other schools that are willing to take this petition to their school and get signatures there, too," she said.

If people want to sign the petition, they can do so by sending a message to Kirkpatrick on Facebook at Nessa Fontaine.

The new bridge, under construction adjacent to the current one, is scheduled to open in 2013.