MUKILTEO—Governor-elect Bob Ferguson announced the appointment of Assistant Secretary Julie Meredith, P.E., as Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), while he was on a Washington State Ferries listening tour Tuesday, January 7. The appointment is effective January 15, 2025.
“Julie Meredith brings deep experience and leadership and a strong commitment to public service to this role,” said Governor-elect Ferguson. “I am confident that she will center the needs of Washingtonians at the Department of Transportation, so our roads, bridges, and transit systems work better for the people of our great state.”
Julie Meredith has been a public servant contributing to Washington state’s transportation infrastructure since 1989. In the last two decades, she has been instrumental in delivering each of the Puget Sound region’s most complex, high-profile transportation projects. She has been involved in improving the SR 520 corridor across Lake Washington including the world’s longest floating bridge, replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and improvements along the I-405, SR 167 and SR 509 corridors.
“For the last 36 years I have been proud to be part of an agency committed to creating the reliable and safe transportation network that Washington’s economy and people rely on,” said Secretary-designate Meredith. “It is an honor to serve as the next Secretary of Transportation for Washington state, and I look forward to serving communities around the state.”
Senator Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, looks forward to partnering with Secretary-designate Meredith “to get Washingtonians where they need to go, safely and efficiently.”
“For more than 30 years, Julie Meredith has tackled tough challenges and served Washington state with distinction in key leadership roles at the Department of Transportation. I am excited to see Gov.-elect Ferguson appoint her as the agency’s next leader,” said Senator Liias.
Meredith’s portfolio also includes regional mobility management, WSDOT’s partnership with Sound Transit to deliver historic system expansion, and tolling operations and management, including toll operations for the new interstate bridge connecting Washington and Oregon.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in forest resources from the University of Washington before launching her engineering career and is a licensed Professional Engineer.
“Secretary Millar is a steadfast public servant who led WSDOT through a remarkable period of growth,” said Governor-elect Ferguson. “I am thankful for his service and contributions to such a critical state agency.”
Sources: Office of Governor-elect Bob Ferguson and the Office of Senator Marko Liias
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
