USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Confirmation of Shailen Bhatt as 21st Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration

Thursday, December 8, 2022

FHWA 49-22
Contact: FHWA.PressOffice@dot.gov
Tel: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) today announced that Shailen Bhatt has been confirmed as the 21st Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Nominated by President Biden on July 21, 2022, Mr. Bhatt was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 8, 2022. He is the first person of Indian descent to lead FHWA.

“From his leadership of the Colorado and Delaware Departments of Transportation, to his work in the private sector, to his service at FHWA during the Obama Administration, Mr. Bhatt brings a wealth of transportation experience to USDOT,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “His leadership will be a tremendous asset as we continue to implement the largest investment in our nation’s roads, bridges and highways in a generation, and we are thrilled to have him on our team.”

Mr. Bhatt will lead FHWA in administering more than $350 billion as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including formula and competitive grant programs that are available to a range of grant recipients, including state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, tribes, territories and federal land management agencies.

“I am honored to return to the U.S. Department of Transportation to lead the Federal Highway Administration as we deliver the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and make transformational investments modernizing our nation’s transportation system,” said incoming FHWA Administrator Bhatt.

Prior to his confirmation, Mr. Bhatt was a senior executive with AECOM. He has also served as the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation, a Cabinet Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation, FHWA Associate Administrator for Policy and Government Affairs during the Obama Administration, and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America).

Bhatt is a proud husband and father to two daughters. He graduated summa cum laude from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Economics.

###