FHWA 09-05
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Contact: Brian C. Keeter
Tel.: (202) 366-0660
Peters Announces Departure from Federal Highway Administration
Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters is stepping down after nearly four
years as the nation’s top highway official to return home to be with family in
Phoenix, Ariz.
Peters informed U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta last night and
shared the news with her senior staff this morning.
During her FHWA tenure, Peters moved the agency toward finding new and more
effective methods of investing in highway and bridge projects, primarily through
greater private sector investment. She encouraged the use of new technologies
that reduce construction time and expense and result in safer, longer-lasting
highways, led a national campaign to improve safety in highway work zones and
worked to streamline the decision-making process for major transportation
projects.
“Mary has left a lasting impression on the history of surface transportation,”
Mineta said. “She has made us all think about the future of surface
transportation in ways we might not have otherwise.”
Peters was director of the Arizona Department of Transportation when nominated
by President Bush four years ago. She was sworn in as the 15th Federal Highway
Administrator on Oct. 2, 2001. She received the 2004 National Woman of the Year
Award from the Women’s Transportation Seminar, a national organization of
transportation professionals. She is a fourth-generation Arizonan with a
bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix.
FHWA Deputy Administrator Rick Capka will serve as Acting Administrator when
Peters departs at the end of July.