DOT Chief Resigns Abruptly

The Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Transportation has resigned. A statement from the Governor’s office says Joseph Marie wants to pursue long-term employment opportunities. As WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports, he’s been replaced by his former deputy.

Joseph Marie was appointed DoT Commissioner just over two years ago, at a time of turmoil for the department. It was under fire for mishandling contracts on I84, and for other cost over-runs. Marie has refocused the DoT on mass transit projects, and has spearheaded Connecticut’s push to revive the New Haven to Springfield rail line. Co-chair of the legislature’s transportation committee, Senator Donald DeFronzo says commissioners often leave at the end of a governor’s term, but he was surprised at Marie’s abrupt and early departure. DeFronzo says he hopes the rail line effort doesn’t falter.

"Joe Marie was really the face of the project, not only in Connecticut but in New England – he was the point person for it. We have a funding application, a federal funding application due in August, and his departure does cause me some concern, because he was so intimately involved in that."

The new head of the DoT is former deputy commissioner Jeffrey Parker, who was appointed by Governor Jodi Rell Wednesday. She said in a statement she expects a seamless transition, and no big changes in the Department’s priorities.

For WNPR, I'm Harriet Jones.