Wright to retire as Fort Smith department head
by January 20, 2012 12:14 pm 77 views
Bob Wright, the long-time director of the Streets and Traffic Control Department will retire in March after nearly 27 years with the city.
Wright has served as director of the city’s Streets and Traffic Control Department since November 1985. Prior to his employment with the City, Wright worked 18 years as a project supervisor for a local engineering firm.
“Bob Wright is a valuable member of our senior management team,” said City Administrator Ray Gosack. “His responsiveness to citizen concerns is exemplary. Bob led the Streets and Traffic Control Department employees with integrity for 27 years. He leaves a legacy that provides the Department with a solid foundation for many years to come.”
Wright became a member of the Arkansas chapter of the American Public Works Association in 1986, and served on the chapter’s Board of Directors from 1990-92.
When asked what events from his years of service stand out, Wright noted the department’s cleanup efforts after the April 1996 tornado that devastated parts of downtown and north Fort Smith, and the ice storm of December 2000.
The department’s accomplishments during his tenure include improvements to practices of maintaining the flood control system, which lessens overall flooding problems in the city. Also, the Department’s workforce has upgraded its skills in order to undertake more significant projects in-house, such as major creek maintenance and street overlays.
The department routinely analyzes traffic data to identify dangerous locations and make improvements, and recently completed a project to convert all traffic signals to LED technology, which reduced energy consumption by 80%, reduced maintenance costs, and improves traffic safety by increasing the visibility of the signals.
The department oversees the maintenance of all 497 miles of city-owned roadways, 146 traffic signals and all street signs, as well as maintains the extensive stormwater drainage network throughout the city. The department has 64 employees, and its total budget for 2012 is just under $5.8 million.