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DES MOINES — Not only was former Gov. Terry Branstad presented the Iowa Award, the state’s top civilian honor, on Thursday, but he also learned a 36-mile stretch of highway in northern Iowa has been dedicated in his honor.

Branstad was presented the Iowa Award during a public ceremony in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, who was Branstad’s lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2017 and succeeded him when Branstad became U.S. ambassador to China, presented the award.

Reynolds also unveiled the news that the stretch of Highway 9 in Winnebago and Worth counties, including near the towns of Leland and Forest City, where Branstad grew up and attended school, has been dedicated in his honor.

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