A section of State Route 20 in Sutter County was officially renamed the Gordon Lee Bordsen Memorial Highway last week, honoring a lifelong local resident who passed away in December 2022 at the age of 93. The dedication ceremony and unveiling of the new sign drew approximately 30 attendees, including state officials and members of Bordsen’s family.
The renaming of this portion of Sutter’s Highway 20 was approved by the Assembly Committee on Transportation in June. The cost for the new signage was covered entirely by donations from non-state sources, ensuring the tribute was publicly funded without using state money. State officials explained that the designation serves as a symbolic connection between the counties of Colusa, Nevada, Sutter, and Yuba, reflecting the broad impact of Bordsen's work across these regions.
Gordon Lee Bordsen, an Army veteran, was recognized for his significant contributions to California’s infrastructure, particularly in Northern California’s transportation network. The Assembly Committee on Transportation noted that his unique combination of an agricultural background and technical expertise was "vital to the expansion" of the region's transportation system. Throughout his career, Bordsen dedicated his efforts to both the Department of Water Resources and later Caltrans, where he specialized as a right-of-way agent.
Among his notable achievements, Bordsen was instrumental in appraising and acquiring the necessary property for key infrastructure projects. These included the widening of Highway 20 into a four-lane highway in Nevada County, as well as securing land for Interstate 5 and Highway 20 in Colusa County. He also played a role in the development of the Skyway in Chico. His technical skills extended to early phases of major projects, such as operating the equipment to take the initial soil samples used to assess the feasibility of the Oroville Dam. Beyond direct infrastructure development, Bordsen’s commitment to preserving historical artifacts was evident when he salvaged copper lightning rods from the old Meridian bridge during its demolition, ensuring they were donated to the Sutter County and Sacramento Valley museums rather than being scrapped.
The Assembly Committee on Transportation specifically stated that the Gordon Lee Bordsen Memorial Highway acknowledges his life and public service as "a longtime Caltrans right-of-way agent and community leader whose work helped shape key transportation corridors across Sutter, Colusa, Nevada, and Yuba Counties." They added that this designation honors his decades of service to California’s highway system and his lasting commitment to Northern California communities.
Bordsen was also deeply involved in his local community throughout his life. He attended Sutter Union High School, Yuba College, and the College of the Pacific, where he participated in student government. For more than 25 years, he served as the announcer for Sutter Union High School football games, earning him the affectionate title, “Voice of the Sutter Huskies.” His civic engagement extended to the Marysville Rotary Club, where he was an active member, serving as both club president and district governor for District 5190, and was recognized as a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a charter member of the Snowshoe Thompson Lodge, Sons of Norway. Friends recall his long-standing involvement in the Lutheran Church and his dedication to the local Young Life board alongside his wife, Carol Jean.
State officials concluded that this designation recognizes Gordon Lee Bordsen's professional legacy in the areas where he worked and also encompasses the community and family homestead where he lived his entire life, underscoring his deep roots and impact within the region.
