Martinovich named new NDOT director by transportation board

Nevada Department of Transportation Director Susan Martinovich said Tuesday it's up to lawmakers to decide how much revenue to provide to the Department of Transportation and where it should come from.

She said her goal is to make sure the highway projects most needed in the state get built as quickly as possible once the money is there.

"We're moving forward with design on all of these projects," she said after being formally appointed director by the Nevada Transportation Board of Directors.

The board includes Gov. Jim Gibbons, Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, Controller Kim Wallin, Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and private Jim Thornton, Tom Gust and the Rev. Caesar Caviglia.

"If we get the money, we're going to be ready to go with real projects," Martinovich said.

She made the statement in response to questions about the projected $3.8 billion revenue shortfall in road construction money between now and 2015. Martinovich said the Blue Ribbon Task Force developed a set of recommendations on the best ways to raise that money and she expects members of that panel will make their case to the 2007 Legislature.

Martinovich predicted they'll get some support from former NDOT director Jeff Fontaine in his new job as head of the Nevada Association of Counties since county officials were part of the task force and supported its conclusions.

"There are a lot of people outside the department who are pushing for legislative action," she said. "And the governor's transition team has looked at it and will be bringing some recommendations forward."

Martinovich, a registered engineer, has been with NDOT nearly 23 years. She is the first woman to hold the director's position.

Design work is under way on numerous projects including the final phase of the Carson City Freeway as well as major construction work in the Las Vegas area.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.