The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation joined the family of Joseph Walker on Thursday morning for a dedication ceremony to name the Park Road Bridge over the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks in honor of the fallen PennDOT worker. The bridge, located in Wyomissing Borough, was officially unveiled as the Joseph Walker Memorial Bridge, commemorating Walker’s legacy and service.
Walker, a District 5 PennDOT worker, tragically lost his life while on duty in 1971. His granddaughter, Joanie Radiosky, along with PennDOT representatives, attended the emotional dedication, which was the culmination of years of effort and legislative support to honor Walker’s memory.
Sean Brown, PennDOT District 5 Safety Press Officer, recounted the journey of how the renaming effort came to fruition. “I didn’t have many records, but I found his obituary and tracked down the funeral home in Schuylkill County. When I called to find his family, they said, ‘Oh, no problem, his granddaughter lives across the street.’” Brown explained. “That’s how I first started talking with Joanie. It’s taken a few years, but with the help of our legislative partners, including Senator David Argall, we were able to get the legislation through, and the governor signed it last year. It’s truly an honor to be able to do this for the family.”
Radiosky, Walker’s granddaughter, expressed deep gratitude during her remarks. “I would like to thank the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and PennDOT for this wonderful honor for my grandfather, Joseph Walker. He was a very sweet, loving man, and I know he’s smiling down on us, proud of this moment,” she said. “My family and I truly appreciate everything everyone has done.”
Radiosky also shared details of the tragic day when her grandfather lost his life. “They were doing construction work on Route 22 in the Allentown area. He was handing out cones when an 18-wheeler driver hit the truck he was on. He was thrown over the side,” she recounted. “It was a devastating loss for our family.”
As a tribute to her grandfather, Joanie emphasized the importance of road safety, urging drivers to be more mindful of workers and the lives they affect. “People need to stop being in such a hurry. Take your time, think of others, think of their safety, their families, and their circumstances. Please, think how you would feel if it was one of your family members.”
Joseph Walker’s death is one of the 90 PennDOT worker fatalities in the department’s history. The Joseph Walker Memorial Bridge now stands as a lasting reminder of his service and a call to action for drivers to prioritize safety on the roads.
