Louisville Metro Public Works’ Transforming Dixie Highway Project was recently awarded the “2020 Transportation Improvement Award” by the local chapter of the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE). The project has transformed one of Louisville’s busiest, widest and most dangerous transportation corridors by improving safety, mobility and livability. In addition to a much improved and safer roadway surface, the transformation features safer walkways, safer turning lanes, converting narrow sidewalks into safer, more comfortable walking paths, the addition of 37 attractive, more comfortable shelters for bus riders, and adding green spaces where none existed.
The corridor covers approximately 14.9 miles of Dixie Highway starting from downtown Louisville southwards, providing access for residents along the corridor and those in the city’s southwestern suburbs to jobs, services, retail and educational opportunities clustered at the northern end of the corridor and several industrial parks to the east and west. The city’s emergency response services also depend on the corridor. Dixie Highway, as an urban principal arterial, carries over 60,000 vehicles per day. It also serves the region’s best performing transit route; Route 18, serving over 4,800 passengers per day.

The project, which broke ground in December 2017 is scheduled for completion in September 2020 and will next compete in the ASHE Great Lakes Regional Competition. Click the links below to learn more about this project.
Transforming Dixie Highway Project Overview
Project Video Presentation
About ASHE

Since early March, Metro Public Works has adjusted its staffing levels, start times and other safety measures to provide a safe work environment for our employees, comply with CDC guidelines, Metro Health & Wellness recommendations, and to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 while providing uninterrupted waste collection/recycling services to our residents. Our Solid Waste Management Services (SWMS) division is comprised of 96 members who service 21 collection routes in the Urban Services District. That number is impacted day-to-day by staffing factors, though this may cause a 1 or 2 day delay in yard waste collection in some routes; trash and recycle collection schedules have not been impacted.

When there are changes to waste collection schedules, a message is sent through Recycle Coach letting residents know. It's a great communication tool, but you have to be signed up to receive the messages! On the smart phone app or web app, click "Set Reminders." There are also waste related events, including paper shredding events, waste drop-off events, and the Know Waste Webinar Series, that get announced through Recycle Coach. 

It's easy, it doesn't take up much storage on a smart phone, and you'll stay informed! Download for free at the App Store or on Google Play. Or use the web app at www.Louisvilleky.gov/RecycleCoach. 

August Safety Tip: Heat Cautions One of the most common and severe hazards for outdoor workers is the heat. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2015, heat exposure led to more than 2,800 illnesses and injuries involving days away from work. Working outdoors, especially during our recent heat wave, it’s essential that you follow safety precautions and procedures to avoid heat-related illness. 1. Stay hydrated. Always have water on hand when outdoors. When working in the heat, OSHA recommends drinking a liter of water over one hour, which equates to one cup every fifteen minutes. 2. Take frequent breaks. It’s important that you take time to rest and get out of the hot weather. Take frequent breaks either in the shade or an air-conditioned indoor area. 3. Take time to acclimate. Your body will slowly build a tolerance to working in the heat. This process is called acclimatization. For new workers, start with 20% exposure on the first day and increase by, at most, 20% every day. Also, if there’s a drastic change in temperature, all workers should start adjusting to the climate by cutting their time outside in half. Workers should then slowly increase workload over the next three days, so by day four, they are back at their regular work schedule. 4. Dress lightly. Depending on your outdoor work, if possible, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing. Many outdoor workers are required to wear certain gear for protection. And while light clothing can protect against heat illness, only wear these items if they will not create a hazard in your workplace.

Below is the list of Louisville Metro Public Works paving projects scheduled for the week of August 10, 2020. The schedule is subject to change due to weather and/or operational factors.

• University Blvd. from Crittenden Drive to Arthur Street
• Boyle Street from Goss Ave. to Charles Street
• Krieger Street from Goss Ave. to Texas Ave.
• Charles Street from Dandridge Ave. to Texas Ave.
• Texas Ave. from Goss Ave. to dead end at cemetery
• Wetterau Ave. from Texas Ave. to dead end
• Ameherst Ave. from Southside Drive to dead end
• S. 1st Street from Amherst Ave. to dead end
• Hollins Road from St. Leo Place to Amherst Ave.
• E/W Jefferson Street from S. Brook Street to S. 2nd Street
• Harrison Lane from National Turnpike to dead end
• S. Floyd Street from Central Ave. to Old Eastern Parkway
• Parklawn Drive from Parkway Drive to dead end
• Afterglow Drive from Outer Loop to dead end
• N. Pope Lick from Tucker Station Road to Rockbridge Road

Dog of the week

Do you have room in your home for a senior shelter who’s full of life? Bossy is an approximately 15-years-young Bulldog mix that weighs 60lbs. Bossy  is still playful and wiggly, but she’s also very sweet. The ray of sunshine would love to lounge on the patio for a nice, relaxing nap. Bossy loves being outdoors, and she’s well-behaved on leash and in the car. Bossy’s adoption fee is waived for an approved adopter, thanks to the Pay It Forward Program. She’s already spayed, microchipped & up-to-date on vaccinations. Bossy will need to see a veterinarian regularly, although she doesn’t let being blind in one eye and arthritis hold her back.  Bossy can be tested with children, other dogs or cats by request. Meet Bossy at Animal House Adoption Center, located at 3516 Newburg Road – no appointment required. Visit daily from 12-6pm. For more information about Bossy, email LMAS at animalservicesadoption@louisvilleky.gov.

Visit http://mapit.louisvilleky.gov/  and type in your address to find out when your junk pick-up date is as well as street cleanings and additional information.

Visit at https://lge-ku.com/outages/report/streetlight to report a street light outage in your neighborhood. When reporting a street light outage, be sure to have the pole number, which can be found on a metal plate on the pole.