Employee Spotlight: Jarvis Moore, MLK Bridge Operator

Jarvis Moore, MLK Bridge operator, observes a lot through the tower windows overlooking the Maumee River and its surrounding paths-friends walking for exercise, children biking, and couples strolling hand in hand. But what he is always on the lookout for are ships making their way up the Maumee River.

With nearly 28 years of experience as a City of Toledo employee, Moore has seen it all. "I started with the City of Toledo in 1995 in the Division of Streets, Bridges & Harbor and was promoted to be the bridge operator 15 years ago," Moore said.

Moore said he enjoys his job, especially when familiar ships come by and blow their horns to greet him.

"When a ship comes up the Maumee River, we monitor the radio. They tell us about 20 minutes till when you see the boat coming, you want to clear the bridge, make sure our traffic is stopped," Moore said.

"It takes about 9 minutes for the bridge to go up and 9 minutes to go down-20 minutes in total. So it's about a 20-minute wait. A lot of people say it's a lot longer, and I'm sure it does for busy people who need to get to the other side of the Maumee quickly, but it's only about 20 minutes in."

Moore underwent three weeks of intensive training on both day and night shifts, with additional training every year or two. His role as bridge operator keeps him busy for nine months of the year. When the Maumee freezes during the winter, Moore often joins City crews to plow snow.

"I like my job. You never know how your shift will unfold, especially when you have five or six ships come by during my shift and then the next day I have none. It just depends on the traffic we have that day," Moore said.

Originally from the south end of Toledo, Moore graduated from Libby High School in 1977 and went straight into the military.

"I went to Libby High School and graduated in 1977, and then I went straight to the military," he said. He served ten years in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1978 to 1982 and six years in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 1990.

"I've been to Korea, Spain, Italy. I even met the pope! I've been around the world a couple of times, but I always come back to my children and grandchildren in the same Toledo neighborhood where I grew-up," Moore said.

During his downtime, Moore enjoys reading and lifting weights to keep himself busy.

"I do a lot of reading. I get into my book, and then when I'm reading, you know I'm in Hawaii sometimes, in New York-I'm everywhere. So I really enjoy it," Moore said.

Moore also lifts weights to keep fit while he is in the tower. "I come a little earlier every day to walk the bridge real quick since once I go into the tower, I can't leave," he said.

Moore takes pride in working for the City of Toledo. "I like working for the city. It's a job where you meet a lot of people-a lot of good people," he said.

As Jarvis Moore continues to operate the MLK Bridge, he remains a dedicated and valued member of the City of Toledo. With retirement only 16 months away, he said he cherishes the experiences and memories he has made along the way.

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