House Approves Renaming Rockford Road Bridge To Honor Fallen MnDOT Worker

The Minnesota House approved legislation Monday honoring a fallen MnDOT worker killed on the job in Plymouth.

Michael Gau was doing work on the Rockford Road bridge project last August when he was struck by a dump truck in the construction zone. He was 54 years old.

To honor him, the House approved renaming the bridge over Highway 169 the Michael Gau Memorial Bridge. Rep. Ginny Klevorn, DFL-Plymouth, was the bill’s chief author.

“Our state lost a dedicated and beloved MnDOT employee in a tragic work accident,” said Klevorn before Tuesday’s vote. “Mr. Gau deserves to be honored for his service, and I’m humbled to author this legislation for Mr. Gau and his family.”

Gau was also a volunteer firefighter for 23 years with Belle Plaine Fire Department. Klevorn mentioned how Gau saved a person from a burning house by observing a dog’s persistent barking. She also spoke of how respected he was among peers.

“Mike never knew a stranger and his smile drew everyone toward him,” said Klevorn. “He’s described by friends as the most loyal person you would ever meet. Not a sit-on-the-couch kind of guy, Mike is described as energetic and my favorite word, goofy.”

Michael Gau

The vote to rename the bridge was 115-17. The no votes for House File 3437 were due to some lawmakers not wanting to set a precedent of using public funds and choosing who to memorialize.

“All 134 members shouldn’t get to decide who gets memorialized and who doesn’t,” said Rep. Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls, who also expressed sympathies to the Gau family.

Gau was killed Aug. 30, 2023. He left behind a wife, three children and six grandchildren.

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