State Highway Department inspectors were busy overseeing construction of the final section of I-65 near Warrior in late 1985.
Russell Taylor’s father, Glenn, was one of those veteran Alabama Highway Department employees at the heart of the historic project.
As a young boy, Taylor remembers how his dad’s work to keep Alabama moving inspired him.
“He would let me ride out with him on the weekend and I would get to watch the bulldozers and backhoes,” Taylor said.
Now, 40 years later, Taylor himself has three decades with the Alabama Department of Transportation under his belt.
He currently serves as the District Administrator, overseeing roadway projects and maintenance in Blount and St Clair Counties.
“I feel like my job, where I’m at, some of the decisions that we make being able to keep traffic flowing, that can help the public, that is very satisfying to me.”
Oneonta District Administrator Russell Taylor
He gives most of the credit for keeping motorists moving through his two counties to his District 32 team.
A total of 40 responsible for overseeing highway improvements, repairing aging roadways and keeping the roadsides in top shape.
Taylor touts his team’s herbicide program as one of its greatest accomplishments since he became Administrator.
By proactively treating the medians and highway shoulders, they are limiting the hours needed to cut grass.
“We went from four mowings a year, down to two with the use of our herbicide products. So, we’ve been able to save state taxpayers’ money,” Taylor said.
He also highlighted the program he has implemented with his maintenance crews to cross-train employees on multiple pieces of equipment.
The experience even helped three qualify for the recent 2025 Southeast Regional ROADeo competition in West Virginia.
Taylor is proud of the leadership shown by veterans like Andy Tawbush, who has worked in the District for nearly three decades.
“So far, I’ve had a 100-percent success rate with people going to get their CDL license. They pass the written test and they pass the driving test. And I lay most of that at Andy Tawbush’s feet,” he said.
Despite their accomplishments, maintaining roads in District 32 comes with its share of challenges.
Whether it is overcoming underground springs or battling snow-covered roads, Taylor claims his crew always tackles an obstacle head-on.
“I’ve never seen them back down from a challenge. These guys will climb over each other trying to help.”
Oneonta District Administrator Russell Taylor
Ultimately, he wants District 32 travelers to know his team will never stop working to keep them moving.
“We want people to get from Point A to Point B as quickly and as effectively as possible while they’re in our district. That’s our ultimate goal,” Taylor said.
