Capka steps down from top federal highway post

J. Richard Capka

The Trucker Staff

1/25/2008

WASHINGTON — Federal Highway Administrator J. Richard Capka has resigned, the Department of Transportation said Thursday.

“My friend and colleague Rick Capka leaves the Department with an exceptional record of accomplishment,” Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters said in a brief statement with no other explanation. “Under his guidance, first as my Deputy and then as my successor as Federal Highway Administrator, the agency has made significant progress in improving our nation’s mobility and keeping our roadways safe.

“His exceptional leadership in Minneapolis after the bridge collapse and in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina exemplifies Rick’s work ethic and ability to get the job done. I wish him and his family the best of success in their future endeavors.”

Capka was sworn in as the 16th Federal Highway Administrator on May 31, 2006. Prior to that, he was appointed the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration in August 2002 and had been the Acting Administrator since August 2005. In that capacity, he helped prepare the Bush administration’s transportation reauthorization proposal, shape the management of highway mega-projects across the country and develop other programs and initiatives for the FHWA.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Administrator, Capka served as Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA) where he directed the oversight of the $14.6 billion Central Artery/Tunnel project (“Big Dig”) in Boston.