Transportation chief to retire

Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003 | 4:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Thomas Stephens, who has headed the state Department of Transportation since December 1994, is retiring, it was announced today.

Stephens could not be immediately reached for comment.

He got sideways with Gov. Kenny Guinn recently in statements over the completion of the Carson City freeway. The governor announced in his "State of the State" address earlier this month that there would be enough money to complete the project. But Stephens said later it would only finish half the project.

And there has been criticism of the agency that is responsible for the road-building program of the state.

Guinn said that deputy director Jeff Fontaine will assume Stephen's duties during the interim period.

His retirement date is May 2.

archive