A bridge along U.S. Highway 61 in Burlington will soon bear the name of a man whose leadership helped shape transportation and economic development across southeast Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Transportation will officially designate the Highway 61 bridge over the Flint River as the Dan Wiedemeier Memorial Bridge during a ceremony Friday, August 7. While the unveiling at the bridge will not be open to the public because of safety concerns, a reception with a live broadcast of the event will be held at the Greater Burlington Partnership beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The honor recognizes Wiedemeier’s years of public service and his commitment to improving southeast Iowa. Appointed to the Iowa Transportation Commission by Governor Terry Branstad in 1994, Wiedemeier served eight years on the commission, including two years as chairman. During his tenure, he played a key role in advancing transportation projects throughout the region, including efforts that helped move the long-planned four-lane expansion of Highway 61 forward.
After a nearly 30-year career with AT&T that took him to leadership positions across the country, Wiedemeier returned to his hometown of Burlington following his retirement in 1987. He quickly became involved in numerous community organizations, serving in leadership roles with the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, Great River Medical Center, Burlington Kiwanis Club, Des Moines County Conservation, the Boy Scouts of America, Messiah Lutheran Church and other civic organizations.
He was also a longtime supporter of the United Way and Junior Achievement, volunteering for more than four decades while working to strengthen economic development and quality of life throughout southeast Iowa.
The bridge designation follows approval by the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors, ensuring Wiedemeier’s contributions to the region will be recognized for generations to come.