The new bicycle/pedestrian bridge over Valleyhigh Drive Northwest in Rochester has been dedicated in memory of David Rossman, a longtime advocate of expanding walking and bicycling trails in the region.
Rossman was a Rochester transportation engineer from 1978 until he retired in 2001. He served on the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee for the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments and helped advance many projects to connect Olmsted County trails with surrounding communities.
He died of a brain tumor Oct. 3, 2012, at the age of 65.
"He was a very good professional and a good person to work with. He was knowledgeable and trustworthy," said Muhammad Khan, a senior transportation planner in the Rochester-Olmsted Planning Department.
The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners, at ROCOG's request, made the bridge dedication official during its meeting on Tuesday. Rossman's wife, Kristine, attended the meeting.
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The new bridge spanning Valleyhigh (County State Aid Highway 4) extends the city's trail network and creates a safer connection with the state's 12.5-mile Douglas Trail near Valleyhigh's intersection with West Circle Drive.
The county will place some type of marker or sign on the bridge that says "David Rossman Memorial Bridge," according to the county board's action.
