Wyattville bridge named for late PennDOT worker

Almost 20 years to the day after Meadville resident Earle Chandler was killed on the job with PennDOT, his family and friends gathered for a ceremony to name the Wyattville Bridge after him.
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They first gathered at the Utica Volunteer Fire Department for a ceremony organized by Rep. R. Lee James, and attended by PA Senator Scott Hutchinson, staff of U.S. Representative Mike Kelly, members of the family, representatives of PennDOT, and the Venango County commissioners.
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Chandler was a dedicated 20-year PennDOT District 1 employee.

At the time of his passing, he was working as a Transportation Construction Inspector – Supervisor on Route 8 in Erie County.

​He was struck by a construction vehicle in the work zone on August 1, 2006.
Known for his sense of humor, the family immediately began laughing when PennDOT assistant district executive Dax Nulph told a story of Chandler prank calling him when he was still a newbie.

Chandler pretended to be a difficult customer and really put Nulph through the ringer before owning up to the joke.
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The story really lit up the room with laughter and several people acknowledging that they really related to what Chandler put Nulph through.
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“Earle was known to have a larger-than-life personality that made an impression on all those who had the pleasure of working with him. In the same way, his passing continues to impact our employees as we continue to cultivate an environment of safety,” said Brian McNulty, District 1 Executive in a press release. “As we mark the 20th anniversary of his passing tomorrow, it is a fitting time to officially rename this bridge in his memory, a bridge that he often traveled across during his commute from his home to the District 1 office.”

He was born in Butler County, graduated from Redbank High School and Penn State Behrend, and resided in Meadville with his wife Elizabeth and their three daughters, Emily, Erin, and Erica. Emily addressed the crowd of over 150 in the fire hall.

Governor Josh Shapiro signed Act 17, which is the legislation designating the bridge on Route 322 over Sugar Creek near the village of Wyattville in Chandler’s honor, on June 30, 2025.

​Pennsylvania State Representative R. Lee James included the bridge in a bill that recognizes other memorial designations throughout the state.

After the ceremony the immediate family gathered at the foot of the bride to unveil a second sign. Later in the day PennDot employees hung the signs in their permanent place on each side of the bridge.
​In connection with the event, PennDOT has the Traveling Workers Memorial on display at the Crawford County facility in Vernon Township. The memorial features 93 white stands each adorned with a hard hat and safety vest along with a date and the name of a PennDOT employee who died while serving the residents of Pennsylvania. It will remain on site and open to the public through August 3, 2026.