You can take away the “interim” from his title.
Grant Levi is now the director of the state Department of Transportation. He had been interim since Francis Ziegler retired last November 30th.
"It is important to remember that this is not a position of schmoozing other people," said Gov. Jack Dalrymple, announcing the appointment. "It's not a position about political skills. It is a position involving engineering, road building and gaining the respect of people who are professional engineers and professional builders."
Levi has worked for the DOT for 30 years. Since 1999, he had been the deputy director for engineering.
Levi says with the increased traffic throughout North Dakota, one of the biggest challenges for the DOT is safety.
"Our mission is about safely moving people and goods, and obviously safety is the biggest challenge we have," said Levi. "As we go about that task, the funding provided by the Governor and the Legislative body will go a long ways in improving our transportation system."
The 2013 Legislature approved a $2.8 b
illion dollar budget for the DOT.