Family members, friends, Caltrans District 3 staff and community leaders gather Thursday, Oct. 1, behind the newly unveiled Gordon Lee Bordsen Memorial Highway sign along State Route 20 near Sutter. The 1.5-mile highway segment was dedicated in honor of Bordsen’s public service, Caltrans career and contributions to the Yuba-Sutter area. Photo courtesy of Sen. Megan Dahle

SUTTER, CA (MPG) - Family members, friends, former colleagues and community leaders gathered Thursday morning to honor longtime Sutter County resident Gordon Lee Bordsen with the dedication of a portion of State Route 20 in his name.

The Gordon Lee Bordsen Memorial Highway covers a 1.5-mile stretch of Highway 20 near Sutter, running from Humphrey Road to Acacia Avenue.

Sen. Megan Dahle authored Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 to establish the memorial designation.

“This morning, Team Dahle joined staff from Caltrans District 3, colleagues, friends, and family of Mr. Gordon Lee Bordsen to honor his legacy with a memorial highway sign dedication,” Dahle said in a statement.

Bordsen died in 2022 after a life that included a career with Caltrans and decades of involvement in community organizations throughout the Yuba-Sutter area.

“Gordon was a lifelong public servant, community leader, and family man whose work left a lasting impact on the Yuba-Sutter region,” Dahle said. “Those who knew Gordon remember him as a mentor, hardworking public servant, and generous friend with a strong commitment to safety, family, faith, and community.”

Bordsen began his Caltrans career as a right-of-way agent, appraising properties needed as the state highway system expanded. His work included projects in Nevada, Colusa and Butte counties.

In Nevada County, he worked on property acquisitions connected to widening Highway 20. In Colusa County, he helped acquire property needed for improvements to Interstate 5 and Highway 20. He also worked on property associated with the Skyway in Butte County.

His career eventually took him to the Caltrans District 3 office in Marysville, where he served as deputy district director before retiring.

Bordsen also participated in preliminary work connected to the Oroville Dam project. According to the press release announcing the dedication, his farming background helped when Caltrans needed someone who could operate a bulldozer while crews gathered early soil samples from the potential dam site.

His connection to local transportation history also extended to the old Meridian bridge across the Sacramento River. When Caltrans prepared to demolish the bridge, Bordsen helped preserve four copper lightning rods that otherwise would have been scrapped. The pieces were later donated to the Sutter County Museum and Sacramento Valley Museum in Williams.

Sutter County Supervisor Jeff Stephens said attending Thursday’s ceremony gave him a greater appreciation for Bordsen’s contributions.

“The stories, however, was of an incredible man,” Stephens said in a statement. “He brought and participated in so much in this community.”

Stephens pointed to Bordsen’s longtime involvement with Marysville Rotary, his Caltrans career, work with Young Life and his years announcing Sutter High School football games.

“It just went on and on what he helped contribute to our area,” Stephens said. “The family, co-workers and friends were everywhere. It was a life well lived and I am so glad I got to be a part of this wonderful honor.”

Bordsen joined the Marysville Rotary Club in 1974 and later served as club president and district governor of Rotary District 5190. He was also a charter member of the Snowshoe Thompson Lodge, Sons of Norway, which requested the highway designation.

He was raised on a sheep farm in Sutter County and graduated from Sutter High School. Later in life, he became known as the “Voice of the Sutter Huskies,” announcing football games for more than 25 years. He also served in the U.S. Army and was involved with the Lutheran Church and the local Young Life Board.

Dahle said the new highway sign also reflects Bordsen’s personal connection to the outdoors.

“The new memorial sign, with its brown background under updated California standards, was especially fitting for someone who loved the outdoors,” Dahle said. “His family expressed gratitude that future generations will see the sign and remember Gordon’s legacy.”

The designated section of Highway 20 includes the Bordsen family homestead and passes through an area connected to much of Bordsen’s life and career.