Brother Lou’s son, Ethan, holds a commemorative plaque that was presented at the September 14 ceremony. From left: BLET First Vice President Gary Best, President Mark Wallace, Rep. Sean Brennan (OH-14), Ethan Shuster, Div. 607 Local Chairman Pat Redmond, Ohio SLB Chairman John Esterly, and BLET NST David Estes.
It’s official. The highway overpass between I-480 and 150th Street in Cleveland is now known as the SPC Louis P. Shuster Memorial Interchange. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill enacting House Bill 360 into law on June 24, 2026. The highway marker was installed earlier this week, and the BLET organized and hosted two ceremonies to officially dedicate the memorial marker for family, friends, and co-workers.
On March 7, 2023, Brother Lou — President of BLET Division 607 in Cleveland, Ohio — was tragically killed in a yard accident while working for Norfolk Southern in Cleveland, Ohio. Brother Lou was an Army veteran, a loving father, and the primary caregiver for his parents. The I-480 interchange is where many railroad workers exit the highway to reach the train yard where Brother Lou worked, and naming the interchange in his honor serves as a reminder of his passion and dedication to his family, his co-workers, and fellow military veterans.
On September 14, the BLET National Division hosted a reception featuring remarks from National President Mark Wallace, BLET Ohio State Legislative Board Chairman John Esterly, Division 607 Local Chairman Pat Redmond, and State Representative Sean Brennan (OH-14th District). During the reception, Brother Lou’s son Ethan was presented with a memorial plaque. On September 15, Chairman Esterly organized a drive-by for family and friends to view the installed sign, with Cleveland Police Department officers serving as official escorts.
Chairman Esterly and BLET members across Ohio worked extensively to secure bipartisan support for the legislation, with Rep. Brennan (OH-14th District) and State Representative Ty Matthews (OH-83rd District) serving as the bill’s primary sponsors.
A gallery of images is available here.
Friends, family, and co-workers gathered at Norfolk Southern’s Rockport Yard in Cleveland before a ceremonial drive past the memorial marker on September 15. City of Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy (Annie) Todd was in attendance as a police escort led a low-speed pass along the interchange at I-480 and West 150th Street.