December 11, 2017 - Mayor Tom Henry today announced Shan Gunawardena has been promoted to director of the City of Fort Wayne’s Public Works Division.
Gunawardena has served as city engineer since 2012 and began his service with the City in 2007 and has held positions of traffic engineer and assistant city engineer. He also has experience as senior transportation engineer and project manager with Bonar Group and seven years of service with the Indiana Department of Transportation in leadership positions. Gunawardena has also served as a guest lecturer for IPFW’s Department of Engineering.
Under Gunawardena’s leadership in the Public Works Division, the City has invested record amounts in neighborhood infrastructure enhancements. From 2014 through this year, there has been $100 million in street, road, sidewalk and curb enhancement projects in neighborhoods throughout Fort Wayne. In addition, another $30 million in improvements is planned for 2018.
Gunawardena has overseen 30 projects that have improved safety and drivability in neighborhoods and arterial streets and roads in all quadrants of the City. He’s also led innovative approaches to using new technologies and best practices to position Fort Wayne as a leader in proactive transportation strategies to benefit motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
“Shan is a public servant dedicated to ensuring our transportation system is safe and efficient. I appreciate and respect his professionalism, experience, attention to detail and commitment to meeting the needs of residents, neighborhoods and businesses,” said Mayor Henry. “Shan’s leadership skills, expertise in engineering and ability to bring out the best in others are unique qualities to lead the City’s Public Works Division in the right direction. He will do a great job in his new role.”
Gunawardena earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Purdue University and is registered as a professional engineer and professional traffic operations engineer. He will serve as chairman of the Fort Wayne Board of Public Works, is a member of the Fort Wayne Plan Commission and chairs the Urban Transportation Advisory Board.