Georgia Division
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Georgia Division |
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What's NewDecember 12, 2007
November 13, 2007 Chinese Delegation Arrives in Georgia
On October 17, 2007 the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) State Transportation Board named Gena Lester Abraham, PhD as DOT Commissioner effective December 1, 2007. Dr. Abraham, 38, will become the GDOT's 14 th Commissioner and first woman ever to hold the post overseeing 5,800 employees statewide and more than $2 billion annual agency budget. Dr. Abraham currently holds three important posts in Governor Sonny Perdue's administration as State Property Officer, Executive Secretary and the Director of the Construction Division of the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC). Previously, Dr. Abraham was an Assistant Professor of Construction Engineering and Management in the Civil Engineering Department at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She also served as Chief Engineer for the Georgia Building Authority. Prior to coming to state government Dr. Abraham managed construction across the U.S. for LaSalle Partners. Dr. Abraham will replace Current DOT Commissioner Mr. Harold Linnenkohl, who announced his retirement September 5, 2007, capping a 40 year career with the Department. September 18, 2007 Harold E. Linnenkohl, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation since September 2003, has announced his retirement effective November 30, 2007, capping a 39-year career at the Department. Mr. Linnenkohl likely will be replaced by Gena L. Abraham who currently holds three important posts in Governor Sonny Perdue's administration. Commissioner Linnenkohl directs 5,800 employees statewide and manages an annual budget of more than $2 billion. He spearheaded the Fast Forward program in Georgia , infusing $15.5 billion into the system to fund projects in six years that would have otherwise taken 18 years to complete. Mr. Linnenkohl is credited with reorganizing the Department for maximum efficiency and implementing a strategic plan to monitor and improve Department operations and transportation project delivery. Mr. Linnenkohl, past president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Southern Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (SASHTO), led the Department to recognition as one of the best transportation agencies in the nation.September 4, 2007 Operation Lifesaver Event Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit group that provides education on the dangers of rail-highway grade crossings. The purpose of the train ride was to educate law enforcement officers and local politicians on the dangers of rail-highway grade crossings and the importance of enforcing traffic laws relating to rail crossings. Operation Lifesaver's motto is “Look, Listen & Live,” encouraging motor vehicle drivers to be cautious around crossways. Norfolk Southern's 1920s era vintage train was equipped with a live feed camera from the front of the engine broadcasting to a television monitor set up at the front of each of two passenger cars. This provided the riders with an “engineer's eye view” of the trip. The group witnessed an instance of a motorist driving around a gate that was in the down position when the train was very near the crossing. Norfolk Southern Railroad personnel mentioned to the group that in 2006, 65% of all rail-highway grade crossing crashes in Georgia occurred when a motorist drove around a crossing gate that was in the down position. The participants were also given a tour of the Norfolk Southern's training facilities in McDonough, Georgia, which contains a 22-person welding area, twelve virtual locomotive engineer training simulators, and an editing studio for videos. The facility provides training for conductors, locomotive engineers, freight car repair, signal training, machinists, track maintenance and bridge maintenance personnel.
FHWA Georgia Division |
 Georgia Division |
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration |