PETERSBURGH — The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) held a ceremony in early October dedicating a bridge to Robert Bornt, who died last May following injuries sustained in a work zone intrusion.
Bornt, who worked for DOT for 22 years, was a highway maintenance supervisor and president of CSEA’s Rensselaer County Unit, Department of Transportation Residency.
Bornt is remembered for his service at work and in the Hoosick Falls community, where he served as fire chief, a rescue squad member, a coach and substitute bus driver.
The ceremony drew hundreds of people, including DOT workers, Hoosick Falls residents, friends, DOT officials, CSEA representatives and elected officials who joined Bornt’s family for the bridge dedication.
“Robert Bornt’s death was a tragedy that took the life of a man who devoted his entire life in service to others,” said state DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “His death was an avoidable tragedy that unfortunately highlights the dangers that highway maintenance workers face every single day.”
This summer, legislation dedicating the State Route 22 bridge in Bornt’s honor was signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. State Sen. Jake Ashby and Assemblyman Scott Bendett, who represent Bornt’s community, sponsored the legislation.
CSEA Capital Region President Shana Davis, who maintains regular contact with Bornt’s wife, Sabrina, and daughter Ally, spoke about the emotional toll on families whose loved ones have died or beem seriously injured on the job.
“Their loved one went to work and didn’t get to go home at the end of the day,” said Davis.
Ally Bornt, who has served as the family’s spokesperson and has been interviewed often by local media, continued her advocacy for driver safety and responsibility, urging drivers to respect work zones, pay attention and move over “so no family has to endure what we are going through.”
— Therese Assalian