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Capka steps down from FHWA chief post

Jan. 25, 2008

J. Richard Capka, who headed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since May 2006, has resigned, the Department of Transportation said on Jan. 24.

Capka “leaves the department with an exceptional record of accomplishment,” Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters said in a short statement.

“His exceptional leadership in Minneapolis after the bridge collapse and in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina exemplifies Rick’s work ethic and ability to get the job done,” she said.

J. Richard Capka, who headed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since May 2006, has resigned, the Department of Transportation said on Jan. 24.

Capka “leaves the department with an exceptional record of accomplishment,” Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters said in a short statement.

“His exceptional leadership in Minneapolis after the bridge collapse and in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina exemplifies Rick’s work ethic and ability to get the job done,” she said.

No successor has been named, but a Department of Transportation spokesman said Deputy Administrator James Ray will fill in as acting administrator.

Before becoming FHWA administrator, Capka served as CEO and executive director of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, where he directed oversight of the $14.6 billion “Big Dig” project in Boston. He was appointed acting administrator in August 2005 until becoming administrator.

Capka, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general and West Point graduate, holds master’s degrees in engineering and in business administration.