A bridge over Interstate 80 in western Iowa has been renamed to honor an Iowa Department of Transportation employee who was killed while working along the highway last year.
The bridge on 298th Street and County Road L55 in Pottawattamie County is now officially known as the Matt Dickerson Memorial Bridge, according to KETV.
The dedication recognizes Matt Dickerson, an Iowa DOT worker who died in May 2024 after he was struck by a driver while working on Interstate 80 near Council Bluffs.
The memorial bridge was officially unveiled during a ceremony on June 11. Representatives from the Iowa Department of Transportation and Pottawattamie County were joined by Dickerson's family, friends and coworkers for the dedication, according to Pottawattamie County.
The bridge designation followed resolutions approved by the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors in March and April after Dickerson's family requested that the location be named in his memory.
During the ceremony, Dickerson was remembered as a devoted husband, father, son, friend and public servant who was known for his generosity, strong work ethic and dedication to helping others. Officials said his daughters were the pride and joy of his life, according to Pottawattamie County.
Scott Schram, District 4 engineer for the Iowa DOT, said the bridge represents more than a memorial.
"The Matt Dickerson Memorial Bridge stands as a lasting tribute to his life and a solemn reminder that every worker in every work zone deserves to make it home," Schram told Pottawattamie County. "Behind every safety vest is a person with a family waiting, dreams still unfolding, and a future that should never be cut short."
County officials said they hope the bridge will also encourage drivers to slow down and pay attention in work zones. Supervisors said they want motorists who see the memorial signs to remember Dickerson and the importance of driving safely around roadway workers, according to Pottawattamie County.
The safety message extends beyond highway construction crews to utility workers, contractors, law enforcement officers, emergency responders and county employees who work along roads every day.
KETV reported that the Iowa DOT is using the bridge dedication to remind drivers to slow down in work zones, put away distractions and move over for vehicles with flashing lights.
As travelers cross the Matt Dickerson Memorial Bridge in the years ahead, county officials hope it serves as both a tribute to Dickerson's life and a reminder that every roadside worker deserves to return home safely at the end of the day.
Source: KETV, Pottawattamie County
