“Transportation agencies continue to face challenges in preserving our nation’s infrastructure, particularly as we look toward the potential insolvency of the Federal Highway Trust Fund and the increasing need for long-term solutions to more sustainable transportation financing,” Dougherty said. “I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve in this position and look forward to addressing these challenges and others as part of this regional organization.”
In his role as president, Dougherty will preside over all WASHTO meetings and, along with the vice president, serve as the regional representative to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Executive Committee. He replaces outgoing president John Halikowski, director of the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Dougherty was appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. to be the director of Caltrans in May 2012. He leads the $11-billion organization and 19,000 employees who build, maintain and operate the 50,000-lane miles of California’s transportation system, according to Tamie McGowen, Caltrans assistant deputy director of public affairs.
He is also leading an expansive effort in California to modernize the state’s transportation department to meet safety, mobility, equity and sustainability objectives.
Dougherty has more than 21 years experience with Caltrans, and before becoming director served as the chief deputy, chief engineer and Fresno district director. He also has held management positions in design, project management, maintenance and traffic operations during his career at Caltrans, McGowen stated. His focus throughout his career has been on safety, efficient project delivery, partnerships with all stakeholders and leading a professional and ethical workforce to provide a sustainable transportation system for the people of California.
WASHTO is comprised of the Departments of Transportation or Highway Departments of the 18 westernmost states and representatives of the United States Department of Transportation, the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Land Management. The transportation agencies of the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan and the Navajo Nation also serve as nonvoting, associate members of WASHTO.
- Contributing to national policies on transportation issues;
- Promoting a closer relationship between its members;
- Advocating legislation that supports efficient and effective transportation systems, economic competitiveness and the environmental integrity of member states;
- Providing a forum for exchanging ideas, exploring and adapting techniques, promoting quality and best practices for implementation;
- Working with the United States Department of Transportation and other governmental agencies.
Information on the organization and its members can be found at www.washto.org/.
