Bridge Dedicated For Presto Fireman

October 20, 2024 1:58 am

The bridge that carries Pennsylvania Turnpike 576 over Pennsylvania State Route 980 just outside of McDonald was dedicated to a Presto Volunteer Fireman. The Terry D. Tackett, Jr. Memorial Bridge was named because of the heroics that Tackett performed to save a woman’s life in Pittsburgh after her car ran into a building leaving her bleeding and unconscious. The bridge is located just feet away from the home where he grew up. Tackett’s father, Terry D. Tackett, Sr. was emotional and humbled as he spoke of his son’s heroics that day and how he misses his son since he was killed in an automobile accident in 2022. Tackett, Sr. spoke of how he did battle with Matt Burd of the Turnpike Commission over flooding that occurred 17 times because of the bridge’s construction. He said he now considers Burd a friend and he looks at the bridge that he hated in a different light. Tackett said that Terry was not just a hero for the Presto Fire Department, Terry was his own personal hero. State Representative Jason Ortitay (R-46) was responsible for the legislative work necessary to have the bridge dedicated in Tackett’s honor.