Historically our Public Works Electrical Maintenance Division has partnered with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 369, for apprentices that would serve a 9-month term of service and then be rotated back out to another field job that has an IBEW contract. It was felt there was a possibility to provide more concise training to fit the needs of our operations while offering prospects for less experienced individuals to grow within Metro and expand their career opportunities. This partnership is the genesis of the Electrical Maintenance Apprenticeship Program.
Public Works Assistant director, Julie Toler, partnered with the Louisville Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (LEJATC) which is a part of IBEW Local 369 ensuring we would be providing adequate skills to produce well trained, well qualified electricians. The certifications will be recognized by both, the IBEW and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). The apprentices will also have the unique opportunity to be trained on the operation of traffic signaling and control systems as part of their on-the-job training (OTJ).
Earlier this year the Electrical Maintenance Apprentice positions were posted on our hiring website for two available positions, we received over 40 applicants! This pool was then reduced to 10 interviewees, from which our two candidates were selected. On July 22nd our first EM Apprentices, Brooke Kruer and Bobby Skaggs, started their journey.
As EM Apprentices they agree to stay with Metro as full-time employees while they complete the 4-year apprenticeship program and an additional 2 years with Metro after completion. They will attend class for 8 hours one day every other week at LEJATC from August 5, 2024, and run through July 3, 2025. Once they complete the 4-year program they will become a "Journeyman."
This a new and exciting time for Brooke, Bobby, and the Electrical Maintenance Division and we look forward to learning and growing together to provide the best service for Metro Public Works and Louisville residents.
L-R: Brooke Kruer and Bobby Skaggs
Last week our Electrical Maintenance team partnered with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 5 to repair the lighting on the 2nd Street Bridge.
There were 3 PWA Electrical Maintenance crews working alongside KYTC taking advantage of the bridge closure on Wednesday evening.
They worked late into the night replacing and repairing bulbs and fixtures along the bridge, adding lighting that will improve safety and the esthetics on the bridge. Huge thanks and appreciation to all involved listed below!!
Jim Byers, Jimmy Layden, Tim Grass, Adam Hightower, Cody Murrison and Scott Payne.
 
 Recycling can seem confusing, and there’s often debate within households about whether something should go in the bin. That is where kNOw Waste Louisville’s Recycle Right Program can help. Since recycling is local, it’s important to learn what is accepted in your community rather than searching online. In Louisville, make sure to recycle these:
- Empty plastic bottles and containers from your kitchen, laundry, and bathroom.
- Empty metal cans, foil pans and wrap.
- Empty glass bottles and jars.
- Newspaper, magazines, mail, paper cups, and flattened cardboard.
- Empty food and drink cartons.
But with the endless amount of packaging types these days, residents are still often left with questions. So, instead it’s worth considering what is most detrimental to the recycling process and should definitely NOT be recycled at home:
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Plastic bags and plastic wrap get caught in the machinery at the sorting facility. Instead, recycle at participating stores. And recycle items loosely and not tied up in plastic bags! (Shredded paper is an exception.)
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Foam carryout and packaging materials are not able to be recycled here in Louisville, and they can cause litter when broken and blown off the sorting line. The only option is to put foam materials in the trash.
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Hazardous items, like batteries, can spark fires at the recycling facility. Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste properly at the Haz Bin at 7501 Grade Lane.
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Containers with large amounts of food or liquid contaminate other material. Containers don’t have to be squeaky clean – empty is fine.
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Bulky rigid plastic items such as laundry baskets, storage bins, and toys can jam equipment designed for sorting smaller items.
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Cords, strings, and chains can be dangerous to workers and the equipment at the sorting facility.
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 The Recycle Right Program brings feedback about residential recycling delivered right to their recycling cart. The educational program is designed to reduce recycling contamination and increase the quality of recycled materials so they are more valuable and more new products can be made from them. Leaving “oops” tags on recycling carts with these contaminants and providing positive feedback to those with only good recyclable materials is one of the most effective ways to reduce contamination. And it gets neighbors talking about recycling!
 Curtain rod, light fixture, screen window, plastic bags/wrap, oh my!
Since the program was fully implemented in November 2023, over 13,000 “Oops” and “Way to Know” tags have been attached to recycling carts all over Louisville/Jefferson County. So far, the program has shown to reduce the top two contaminants – plastic bags and bagged recycling – by 9%! After receiving feedback, an average of 66% of residents receive a “Way to Know” tag – an increase of 11%!
By educating residents at their cart, they get real time feedback and receive detailed information about what can and can’t be recycled! Learn more about this program at Louisvilleky.gov/RecycleRight.
Where will the Recycle Right Team be next week?
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Monday, August 5: Cloverleaf Neighborhood, District 15
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Tuesday, August 6: Shawnee Neighborhood, District 5
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Wednesday, August 7: Schnitzelburg Neighborhood, District 15
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Thursday, August 8: Gardiner Lane Neighborhood, District 8
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Friday, August 9: Original Highlands Neighborhood, District 8
Below is the list of Louisville Metro Public Works paving projects scheduled for the week of August 5.
Please note that the schedule may have some delays due to weather or other unforeseen issues. Various lane closures and other impacts will be on-going during these improvements.
- Wolfcreek Pkwy. from Springdale Rd. to Albrecht Cir. (2nd intersection)
- Albrecht Cir. from Wolfcreek Pkwy. to Wolfcreek Pkwy.
- Smithfield Rd. from Blankenbaker Ln. to Hanford Ln.
- Daleview Ln. from Apache Rd. to Hanford Ln.
- Knollwood Rd. from Apache Rd. to Daleview Ln.
- Apache Rd. from Blankenbaker Ln. to end of Metro's right-of-way
- Old Springdale Rd. from Springdale Rd. to dead end
- Clarkwood Rd. from Blankenbaker Ln. to Blankenbaker Ln.
- Mohican Hill Ct. from Blankenbaker Ln. to dead end
- Goldsmith Ln. from Bardstown Rd. to Stratford Ave.
- Adams St. from E. Witherspoon St. to Story Ave. (asphalt section only)
- N. & S. 44th St. from Bank St. to W. Market St.
- Boone Ln. from Bank St. to N. 41st St.
- Parker Ave. from Northwestern Pkwy. to N. 41st St.
- Duncan St. from N. 45th St. to N. 41st St.
- N. 43rd St. from Duncan St. to Bank St.
- N. 42nd St. from Duncan St. to Bank St.
- N. 42nd St. from Duncan St. to Bank St.
- S. 43rd St. from W. Market St. to Larkwood Ave.
- S. 43rd St. from W. Main St. to W. Market St.
- N. 43rd St. from W. Main St. to Duncan St.
- S. 42nd St. from W. Main St. to W. Market St.
- N. 42nd St. from W. Main St. to Duncan St.
- N. 41st St. from W. Main St. to Duncan St.
Additionally, various roadway and drainage improvements will occur on:
- Wolf Run Rd. drainage pipe replacement
- Jefferson Hill Rd. from Keys Ferry Rd. to Snawder Rd.
- Old Federal Rd. concrete repairs
- Minor Lane from Outer Loop to Reeves Rd
- Christian Way from Shelbyville Rd. to Oxmoor Woods Pkwy.
- Plum Creek Trail from Routt Rd. to dead end
For utility restoration our contractor will be restoring roadway cuts at:
- Northwestern Parkways from Duncan St. to Parker Ave.
- Northwestern Pkwy. from S. 41st St. to N. 35th St.
- Rudd Ave. from N. 36th St. to approx. 3200 Northwestern Pkwy.
Our contractor is planning to repave:
Grinstead Dr. from Lexington Rd. to Peterson Ave. The roadway will be closed from Friday, 8/2/2024 from 8 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday 8/3/2024. We are working with Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to also shut down the on and off ramps from I-64 onto Grinstead so that we can expedite this paving.
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To receive automatic waste collection reminders and real-time notifications, download Recycle Coach, our waste information and calendar app at the App Store or on Google Play.
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