On October 23, 2023, Governor Shapiro signed Senate Bill 621 into law, which dedicated several bridges in District 5 to fallen PennDOT workers who lost their lives on the job. Recently, District 5 held two events unveiling signs for two workers in Berks and Schuylkill counties.
At the events, representatives from PennDOT were honored to join the friends and families of Wilbur Bohn and Joseph Zienkiewicz in remembering and celebrating their lives and the communities they touched.
Wilbur Bohn, an employee of Berks County Maintenance, passed in December 1979. His family choose to have the US 422 Bridge over Little Cacoosing Creek in Lower and South Heidelberg, Berks County, named after him because Wilbur was involved in the area's local fire company and his family, including his widow Pat, travels US 422 frequently.
Joseph Zienkiewicz, an employee of Berks County Maintenance, passed in June 1981. His family choose to have Little Mountain Road, over Little Catawissa Creek Union Township, Schuylkill County, named after him because Joseph was the police chief in nearby Ringtown Borough and he also spent many hours fishing in the creek with his son David.
While we hope to never add another person to the list of bridge dedications, the events were truly appreciated by all in attendance. Not only was PennDOT able to celebrate these individuals that sacrificed so much, but were able to get the message out that one life lost on Pennsylvania roads is one life too many.