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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2009
Contact Dennise R. Casey
802-828-1647
Douglas Taps Transportation and Planning
Expert to Lead State Efforts to
Manage Champlain Bridge Closure
Montpelier,
Vt. –Governor Jim Douglas today announced that he has tapped
34 year New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) Veteran
and current Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans)
employee, Jim Harris to lead the state’s multi-faceted
approach to managing the Champlain Bridge closure.
“Jim’s leadership skills and his ability to manage challenges
that extend beyond transportation make him more than
qualified for this vital role,” said Governor Douglas. “He
has more than 40 years of experience in transportation and
project management. His expertise, on the ground in Addison
County dealing with the wide-range of challenges, from
economic and jobs loss to agriculture, caused by this
transportation crisis will be essential.
“Jim has the tools needed to be the State’s eyes and ears at
this critical time,” said VTrans Secretary David Dill. “We
want the public to have the best and latest information as we
work day and night to find a solution to this terrible
situation.”
Harris’ responsibilities will extend beyond the
transportation situation caused by the Champlain Bridge
closure. Harris will act as the point of contact for all
state agencies and departments as well as local officials and
the public.
“I know this is a difficult time for the people of Vermont
and New York whose lives have been disrupted by the bridge
closure,” said Harris. “Building on the good work that my
colleagues at VTrans are already doing, I’ll do my best to
offer more affordable and less time consuming alternatives as
quickly as possible.
After 34 years of service, Harris retired from NYDOT in 2003
where he was Executive Director of New York Metropolitan
Transportation Council, the Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO) for New York City, Long Island and the
lower Hudson Valley. He also served as Division Director of
Program Planning and Management Division which, among other
responsibilities, included development and execution of the
Department’s $1.75B Annual Capital Program, coordination of
metropolitan planning for the twelve MPO’s in New York and
development and maintenance of the Statewide Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP).
Harris joined VTrans in 2003 as Project Engineer for the
Bennington Bypass project, and in 2005 he became Project
Manager for the Bypass. In 2008, Harris took in the
responsibility for the Morristown Truck Alternative Route as
Project Manager.
Dennise R. Casey
Deputy Chief of Staff and
Communications Director
109 State Street ¨
The Pavilion ¨
Montpelier, VT 05609-0101
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