Durham creates its own DOT

DURHAM -- Moving along with his intent to improve the way City Hall does business, City Manager Tom Bonfield has created a new Department of Transportation and put longtime transportation manager MarkAhrendsen in charge of it.

"It's no secret [transportation] is one of the major issues facing our region," Bonfield said in a prepared statement.

Earlier this year, Durham opened a new bus depot and railroad passenger station that Ahrendsen had a major role in planning and promoting. He has also managed the city's bus system and all transportation matters within the public works department.

The new department encompasses traffic operations, engineering and planning, taxi and parking services, with major responsibility for expanding public transit. Parking was previously handled through the General Services Department.

Ahrendsen has been a city employee for 21 years and managed the transportation division since 1997. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering from the University of Iowa. His appointment is effective Jan. 1.