FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 13, 2000
Contact: Virginia Miller
Tel.: 202-366-0660
FHWA 15-00

After four years of service in Massachusetts, Pete Markle, FHWA Massachusetts Division Administrator, will assume the position of Program Manager reporting to FHWA Headquarters, effective April 1. Mr. Markle will help the agency assess the implementation of its major reorganization which restructured the regional and headquarters system to better serve the needs of its state and local partners.

This change in leadership in our Massachusetts office also offers the opportunity for a fresh look at the state's federal-aid highway program.

Fred Downs, the head of the Albany Office of the Eastern Resource Center, and the former Vermont Division Administrator and Illinois Assistant Division Administrator, will serve as Acting Division Administrator during the recruitment process for a new Division Administrator.

The Federal Task Force for the Central Artery Project, headed by Dr. Walter L. Sutton, Acting FHWA Deputy Administrator, is completing a thorough review to determine how to improve the oversight and efficient completion of this important infrastructure project. The task force is reviewing all dimensions of the project including the revised finance plan that is due to FHWA on March 15. Their completed evaluation will be submitted to me by March 31. Once the report has been evaluated and accepted by Transportation Secretary Slater and me, FHWA's new administrative team in Massachusetts will vigorously execute the report's recommendations.