Bridge Naming Honors Late District 3 Employee

Blog Header Image

PennDOT participated in a ceremony June 28 designating a local bridge the H. Donald Whipple Memorial Bridge in honor of the department employee killed on the job in 2016. Whipple was the 87th employee killed on the job since 1970.

The bridge named in honor of Whipple is the Route 405 bridge spanning Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks and a tributary to Chillisquaque Creek in Northumberland County, part of PennDOT District 3.

The naming of the Route 405 bridge was significant because Whipple was instrumental in designing it. He drafted the entire 55-sheet bridge plan and designed the deck steel for this two-span structure. The project was completed in 2014. Although it was not the first bridge he worked on, Whipple considered it his most memorable due to the size and complexity.

The event was attended by many of Whipple's friends from the district office; family members including his parents, Dennis and Sharon, and his wife, Julia; and representatives of the offices of Sen. John Gordner and Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver.

Don Whipple and Maggie Jackson standing back to back in front of a bridge and crane.
The late Don Whipple worked with Maggie Jackson to design the Route 405 bridge, which was recently named in his honor.

"Today is a special day. We are remembering, celebrating Don's life and recognizing Don's accomplishments," said District 3 Executive Sandra Tosca. "While his memory will live on in our hearts, the naming of this bridge will serve as a physical memorial to an outstanding individual who served the department with distinction and was loved and respected by everyone."

Maggie Jackson, a project manager for the district, worked with Whipple on designing the Route 405 bridge.

"Don was a fantastic co-worker and an absolute joy to work with," she said. "He had an excellent work ethic, but I'll remember him most as a caring friend who we deeply miss."

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Did you know PennDOT is directly responsible for nearly 40,000 miles of highway and roughly 25,000 bridges? We oversee programs and policies affecting highways, urban and rural public transportation, airports, railroads, ports and waterways, in addition to administering the state's more than 11 million vehicle registrations and 8.8 million driver's licenses.

So, how do we do what we do? And how can we help you travel in Pennsylvania — whether it be for business or leisure — in safe and enjoyable manner? Read PennDOT Way to learn more about the department, what we do, and how and why we do it.​

TAGS

50-Year Anniversary511PAAggressive DrivingAirportsAutonomous VehiclesBicyclesBridgesChild SafetyCommunity RelationsConstructionCOVID-19Distracted DrivingDistrict 1District 10District 11District 12District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 8District 9DOTcomDriver and Vehicle ServicesEmergency RespondersEmploymentEquityFAQ FridayHuman TraffickingImpaired DrivingInnovationsLive Free Ride AliveMaintenance MondayMotorcyclesOlder DriversPA Motorcycle Safety ProgramPedestriansPennDOT ConnectsPortsPublic TransitRailroadsREAL IDRoad MaPRoadside BeautificationRural RoadsSafetySchool BusesSeat BeltsState Transportation Innovation Council (STIC)SustainabilityTeen DriversThrowback ThursdayTransportation FundingTravel in PAWelcome CentersWinterWork SmartWork ZoneYellow Dot

 

LATEST POSTS

PennDOT Continues Sharing, Updating Resources for Local Governments to Pursue Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Opportunities
Norwin High School Wins 2024 ‘Innovations Challenge’
Demo Complete: I-95 CAP Project in Center City Philadelphia
PennDOT Archeologist Connects Past, Present, and Future
Lehigh Valley DUI, Highway Safety Task Force Hosts Law Enforcement Seminar

 

ARCHIVES

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017