Tom Warne Report, 26 May 2013
BISMARCK, N.D. – A 30-year DOT veteran who worked his way up through the ranks has been named the most qualified to lead the state in dealing with the demands of North Dakota’s roads and other infrastructure, Gov. Jack Dalrymple said Wednesday.
“Grant Levi has a perfect resume for the job,” Dalrymple said in the announcement at the state Capitol. “His depth of knowledge is a tremendous asset for North Dakota.”
Levi will succeed Francis Ziegler, who retired last November after serving as director for six years and working for the department for a total of 42 years. Levi moved from deputy director to fill in as interim director prior to Ziegler’s appointment in 2006 and again since Ziegler retired last year.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation has approximately 1,100 employees and a $2.8 billion budget over the next two years.
Dalrymple said the department’s budget has more than quadrupled over the past six years as the result of oil development and tax revenue. Some of the agency’s priorities include making U.S. Highway 85 in western North Dakota a four-lane road from Williston to Watford City, and also six bypass projects to detour traffic around oil patch communities in western North Dakota’s oil-producing region.
Grant has been a solid player in our industry over the years and has clearly earned this opportunity to lead the North Dakota DOT through some very challenging times. He is all that the Governor said and more in terms of qualifications to do this job. Congratulations to Grant. TW