FHWA Nominee Shailen Bhatt to Seem Earlier than US Senate Panel

[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]

President Joe Biden’s nominee to steer the Federal Freeway Administration is scheduled to handle this month the U.S. Senate committee on transportation coverage.

Shailen Bhatt, an government at AECOM who was just lately picked for the highest publish on the freeway company, will meet Sept. 14 with the Setting and Public Works Committee. The listening to might be a possibility for members of the panel to press Bhatt about his {qualifications}.

Because the enactment of the $1 trillion Infrastructure Funding and Jobs Act, the company has taken a central function in managing the distribution of newly authorised federal funds. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), the EPW committee’s chairman, emphasised FHWA’s function in overseeing the nation’s floor transportation panorama. Carper was among the many IIJA’s authors. The regulation prioritizes highway-centric operations.

Quickly after Bhatt’s nomination was introduced, the senator mentioned: “Bhatt’s resume is almost good for main a transportation company with such a crucial infrastructure mission.”

Carper went on: “I’ve an extended historical past of working with Shailen, and he’s an impressive alternative.”

Earlier than his stint at AECOM, Bhatt was government director of the Colorado Division of Transportation and Cupboard secretary of the Delaware Division of Transportation. In accordance with background the White Home launched, the nominee held a management publish on the Clever Transportation Society of America. He’s a graduate of Western Kentucky College. “In these roles, Bhatt spearheaded modern options, collaborations and partnerships to assist the supply of protected, sustainable and cost-effective transportation methods for the twenty first century,” per the White Home.

If confirmed for the function of FHWA administrator, Bhatt would serve in a workforce on the U.S. Division of Transportation led by Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Distinguished stakeholders got here out in assist of Bhatt’s nomination. Jim Tymon, government director of the American Affiliation of State Freeway and Transportation Officers, mentioned: “His management roles at each the Delaware and Colorado departments of transportation, in addition to his time on the U.S. Division of Transportation, the Clever Transportation Society of America and AECOM, display his potential to deliver folks collectively to make sure we’ve a protected, sustainable, equitable and multimodal transportation system that allows mobility for everybody.”

“The breadth of expertise he brings to the function as the previous chief of two state departments of transportation, CEO of ITS America, and senior vice chairman at AECOM will strengthen our nation’s freeway system,” added Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, president of the Worldwide Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Affiliation. Gutierrez-Scaccetti is commissioner of the New Jersey Division of Transportation.

In the meantime, Robin Hutcheson, Biden’s alternative to steer the Federal Motor Service Security Administration, continues to attend for the Senate to schedule a vote on her nomination. Hutcheson, appearing chief at FMCSA, garnered bipartisan approval from the Senate Commerce Committee. She advised the panel earlier this yr she would proceed to commit sources for applications that promote security initiatives, cut back provide chain bottlenecks and pave the way in which for brand new applied sciences.

Hutcheson additionally put a highlight on truck drivers’ contributions to freeway security and the financial system. As she put it: “Now, greater than ever, People are acutely tuned in to how our items get to our houses — from the flour for the bread we eat, the garments we put on, the mattress we sleep in — all of us have a greater understanding that it in all probability got here on a truck.”

In an announcement quickly after her nomination, American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear noticed, “Since her appointment as appearing administrator in January, Ms. Hutcheson has labored intently with the trucking business to confront provide chain, workforce and security challenges, whereas urgent ahead with the implementation of significant applications included within the Infrastructure Funding and Jobs Act.”

Need extra information? Hearken to right this moment’s every day briefing under or go right here for more information: