When people think of city government, they usually think of people such as the Mayor, the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the Department of Public Works (DPW). Some people might not think of engineers working out of City Hall. However, their role is integral in managing the quality and efficiency of new and existing infrastructure throughout the city, including roads, trails, and drainage systems.

Jason Taylor, the Director of the Engineering Department, Laura McClure, the Site Development Reviewer for the Engineering Department, and Tami Houston, a project engineer, describe their department as being a close-knit, easy-going department that works well together. They say that even though they are faced with a lot of large and difficult tasks, by putting their heads together, they are able to get the job done well while having fun. In the words of Taylor: “We do serious work, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”

The Engineering Department is responsible for making sure that all the infrastructure in the city is safe and functioning properly. One of the major projects that the Engineering Department is working on is State Road 37, which is Taylor’s favorite project. This collaborative project with INDOT, Hamilton County, Noblesville, will include overpasses and roundabouts that replace the stoplights on State Road 37 from 126th Street to 146th Street. This will reduce traffic congestion and eliminate the divide created by the road. Residents can learn more about this project and stay up to date on construction progress at driveSR37.com.

Those who work for the Engineering Department require a variety of different skills. Some of these skills are more technical, such as having an engineering degree, being familiar with technical aspects of site design, and knowing construction specifications. However, some of these skills are more universal, such as communicating with coworkers, finding a solution that everyone agrees upon, and staying organized.

The engineers at the City of Fishers may not have a typical government job, but they play a very important role in the city and keep it smart, vibrant, and entrepreneurial.

Recently, the Engineering team launched a new employee spotlight series on their webpage, which features different members of the team so you can get to know them and learn why they enjoy working for the City of Fishers.

Stay up to date on Engineering projects and construction updates by following @DriveFishers on Twitter or sign up for the weekly newsletter by visiting www.fishers.in.us/DriveFishers.