Public Works Personnel Manager Julie Toler will be promoted to the newly created position of Public Works Assistant Director for Administration and Training, effective Monday, November 16, 2015. In three years as personnel manager, Julie has been a critical part of the department's administrative team with the work she does to bring in, retain and develop Public Works staff. She is playing a leadership role in development of the planned Public Works Academy, a comprehensive entry-to-exit employee training program.

Julie began serving Metro Government as a Clerk Typist with Jefferson County Code Enforcement in 2001 and has worked her way up through the ranks. She is a great example to be followed by other Metro employees. 

Michael Hudson, Engineer III

Michael Hudson is a 1984 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He oversees design, construction, testing and implementation of construction projects. He is project manager for Rangeland Road, construction manager for the Urton Lane Railroad Bridge, does new sidewalk cost estimating, and assists project management for Whiskey Row construction and Hill Street viaduct sidewalk replacement. Hudson previously worked for private engineering firm Qk4 and was a commissioned Army Engineer Officer. He retired from the Army as a Lt. Colonel following three years of active duty and 18 years of reserve duty.

Steve Kurowsky, Engineer III

Steve Kurowsky is a 1996 master's graduate of the University of Louisville Speed Engineering School where he also earned his bachelor's degree the previous year. He has dived right in at Public Works with design work on Hubbards Lane, Buechel Bank utilities and construction, new sidewalk estimates, and assisting with the Dixie Highway and Brook Street ramp projects. He previously worked at private firms Ops Engineering, Global Solutions and Qk4. His work included designing the widening of Interstate 64 from I-265 to the Shelby County line, and contributions to the East End Ohio River Bridge crossing.

Work was completed October 20 on the project to create a quiet zone at the CSX Railroad crossing on Washburn Avenue. In accordance with Federal Regulation, the railroad will stop sounding their horn at this crossing no later than November 16. However, the horn will still be permitted in the case of emergencies. The long process of establishing a quiet zone was developed by the Federal Railroad Administration with the goal of improving the quality of life near railroad crossings without compromising safety.  For a crossing to qualify, additional safety improvements, such as median dividers, are added at the crossing to lower collision risk below a nationally established threshold. The $200,000 project was completed after 10 years of planning and coordination between the railroad and Metro, and with funding from the City of St. Matthews, City of Lyndon and Metro Council District 7.