Burns bill would name Cambria Township bridge after longtime Ebensburg mayor

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    April 11, 2024 | 3:18 PM

HARRISBURG, April 10 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill introduced by state Rep. Frank Burns to name a bridge in Cambria County as the Michael G. Tsikalas Memorial Bridge.

Burns’ bill would name the bridge that carries U.S. Route 22 over Howells Run in Cambria Township after Tsikalas, a WWII veteran and longtime Ebensburg mayor.

“Tsikalas was a fixture in Ebensburg. Whether it was from his time at the Hi-Way Diner, or as mayor of Ebensburg or grade school football coach, everyone knew him,” said Burns, D-Cambria. “Before that, he was a World War II veteran who stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day. Naming this bridge in his honor pays tribute to his service.”

While serving in the U.S. Navy, Tsikalas fought on the front lines as he was in one of the first amphibious land cruisers to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day. After the war, he worked at the Hi-Way Diner for 40 years and served as Ebensburg mayor for 20 years, where he oversaw the Lake Rowena Revitalization project and the start of the Ebensburg Main Street Program. He also served as Cambria County prothonotary for 20 years and coached football for over 30 years at Holy Name and Ebensburg elementary schools. He passed away on May 18, 2022, at the age of 95.

The bill now goes to the state Senate for consideration.