For the past seven years, Braceras has been responsible for UDOT’s more than 1,700 employees and the design, construction, and maintenance of Utah’s 6,000-mile system of roads and highways.
As a member of Governor-Elect Cox’s new cabinet, Braceras will continue to lead UDOT in enhancing the quality of life for all Utahns through transportation. This includes ongoing work to build a smart transportation system that connects communities through roads, transit, and cycling and walking paths.
“Transportation is such a critical element in establishing and enhancing our quality of life,” Cox said. “There’s no one I trust more than Carlos to perform this essential job.”
Prior to his May 6, 2013 appointment as Executive Director of UDOT by Gov. Gary R. Herbert, Braceras served as the agency’s Deputy Director for 12 years. He has worked in various roles since joining the department in 1986, including Director of UDOT’s Region Three, Chief Geotechnical Engineer, Chief Value Engineer, a member of the Legacy Parkway/I-15 North Project team, and a Roadway Design Engineer.
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Braceras has overseen the completion of several highway projects such as the Utah County I-15 Technology Corridor, I-15 South Davis, and I-15 The Point. In addition, he has focused on adding more walking and biking trails throughout the state. The Mountain View Corridor features 17 miles of biking and walking paths that run the entire length of the current roadway in Salt Lake County, and the Utah Valley University pedestrian bridge — the longest ever built in the state — will be completed early next year.
As a national transportation leader, Braceras is currently the executive board Chair for the Transportation Research Board, a member of the board of directors, and past-President of the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO), Chair of the AASHTO Design Committee, past President of the Western Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, past Chair of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, past Chair of the Center for Environmental Excellence Advisory Board, and past Chair of Road Usage Charge West.
“I am humbled by the trust placed in me by Governor-Elect Cox to continue this important work,” Braceras said. “I look forward to working with this new administration to continue to connect our communities and enhance our quality of life.”
“The opportunity to help our communities is what makes all of us at UDOT get up and go to work every day,” he added. “We like to say we bleed orange, and we mean it. I’m delighted to be able to continue to do so.”
