Much like Elias Baker and J. Edgar Thompson, Bud Shuster indelibly left his mark in Blair County history.

Because of his vision to connect Altoona via a four-lane highway — which he later named I-99 — Shuster created a lasting legacy, much like Baker’s mansion and iron furnace and Thompson’s Horseshoe Curve.

Shuster died Wednesday at his Everett farm at age 91.

During his 28-year congressional career, Shuster was a formidable champion for his central Pennsylvania district, never losing sight of his goal and playing the long game to make it happen.

Along the way, he stood up to opponents, including some from the area who could not see what Shuster did — that good roads and highway access would shape the region’s economic future.

Today, while some might nitpick certain aspects of what Shuster shaped, we’d be hard pressed to find anyone who would disagree that the area is much better because of it.

Imagine what Altoona would look like without I-99 and state Route 22 West, among roadways. That initial portion of state Route 22 to Ebensburg spurred the expansion that resulted in today’s four-lane highway to the West Virginia border.

Look at the factories, distribution centers and businesses that have sprung up as a result. How many fewer people would be employed without them?

During his tenure, Shuster drew criticism for sagely using congressional tools available at the time, such as earmarks and demonstration projects, to improve our transportation corridors step by step.

Shuster knew his vision was too big for one sitting, so he broke it up into more manageable bite-size pieces. Today, area residents feast on Shuster’s creations.

The projects improved safety, sped up travel and encouraged economic development along the highway corridors he helped create.

Along the way, Shuster looked for other projects — too numerous for a quick accounting — to benefit his district, helping direct federal aid for water and sewer projects, among others.

Shuster was Blair, Bedford and his other counties’ equivalent to what the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha accomplished for Johnstown and the counties just to our west.

Shuster was a political maestro of his time. Changes since his heyday might mean there will never be another person who can top his accomplishments. He was the right person at the right time.

That makes his death all the more sorrowful.

But just as the Horseshoe Curve remains a vital part of the nation’s rail system, I-99 and the roads Shuster helped create will do the same for vehicle traffic.

For that reason, Bud Shuster deserves our region’s undying gratitude.