The former head of D.C.’s Department of Transportation is following Rahm Emanuel to Chicago.
Gabe Klein will join Mayor Emanuel’s administration as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation on May 16, Transportation Nation reported.
Klein tells Transportation Nation that he hopes to build on the innovative programs that were put in place in Washington, D.C. and transform Chicago into a world class transportation city. During his tenure, D.C. launched a bikeshare program, expanded bike lanes and installed several electric car charging stations.
Emanuel, a cyclist like Klein’s former boss, former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, wants 100 miles of new bike lanes in the Windy City, Transportation Nation reported.
“This is an opportunity to continue public service in the fifth largest urban economy in the world for a leader every bit as reform-minded and results-oriented as former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty; to make Chicago an example nationally for innovation in transportation and public space; and most importantly, to positively impact quality of life for the 2.6 million residents of Chi-town,” Klein said.
