FORT WORTH, TX — The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announces the appointment of Carl L. Johnson, PE as TxDOT’s Chief Engineer.

A 1989 graduate of the Construction Engineering program at Texas Tech University, Johnson started his career working for two heavy highway contractors in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Central Texas regions. Johnson is a 30-year TxDOT veteran. He started with the department in 1995 as a General Engineering Technician IV at the Lampasas Area Office of the Brownwood District. Since then, Johnson has been promoted to key positions and worked on many statewide initiatives.

Johnson earned his license as a Professional Engineer in 2007, and in 2012 he was promoted to Director of Operations for the Brownwood District, where he oversaw maintenance, traffic, and emergency operations for the nine-county district.

In August 2017, he became the Abilene District Engineer overseeing design, maintenance, and construction for the 13-county district. In September 2020, Johnson was promoted to Fort Worth District Engineer, overseeing more than $4 billion in construction including major projects such as I-35W, the I-30/SH 360 Interchange, and the Southeast Connector.

In September 2022, he became the Director of District Operations overseeing TxDOT’s 25 districts. In this role, he spent many hours visiting the districts, driving the roads, and engaging with district staff. Over the last several years, he has partnered with districts, industry partners, legislators, and community leaders that contributed to the successful delivery of record project lettings. He has worked with the Texas Transportation Commission and TxDOT Administration on various projects to advance strategic goals of the department.