The Tom Warne Report, 2 September 2011
As the Texas Department of Transportation continues its organizational makeover, the state Transportation Commission has appointed 25-year TxDOT veteran John Barton as interim director. Barton replaces Amadeo Saenz Jr., who will retire at the end of the month after directing the agency since 2007.
Barton previously served as assistant executive director for engineering operations and will lead TxDOT as it continues to undergo an overhaul following years of complaints by lawmakers and the public about financing, toll roads and other sensitive issues. As assistant director, Barton was responsible for the department’s work on transportation planning, rail, right-of-way, design, environmental and the state turnpike division, among others. Saenz’s No. 2 man, Steve Simmons, a former Fort Worth district engineer will also retire at the end of the month.