Karl S. Bowers

Karl S Bowers
Adminstrator of the Federal Highway Administration
In office 1978–1980
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	William M. Cox
Succeeded by	John S. Hassell, Jr.

Karl S. Bowers became Deputy Federal Highway administrator in June 1977 and was appointed Administrator on August 3, 1978.

He came from a highway background, having served as a South Carolina State Highway Commissioner, 1974 to 1977; Vice Chairman of the State Highway and Public Transportation Commission, 1975; and Chairman of the Commission, 1976.

Under Mr. Bower's tenure, the Federal Highway Administration:

-Accomplished an enviable record in minority recruitment and hiring and in the promotion of the Minority Business Enterprise Program.

-Made significant strides towards the Congressional mandate to expedite completion of the Interstate System.

-Emphasized commitment to rehabilitating and repairing the existing highway network.

-Reduced the inflationary rate in highway construction during 1979 over the previous year, in the face of serious escalating costs.

-Accomplished its highest level of obligations in history -- $9.3 billion overall, with $8.5 billion for those programs subject to the congressional law.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from KARL S. BOWERS. United States Department of Transportation.