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Brian Hare Celebrates a Long and Winding Career in Transportation

March 12, 2024 03:00 PM
By: Brian Hare, P.E.

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​Brian Hare started his career at PennDOT in June 1989 and is slated to end this chapter of his work life on March 29, 2024. As Brian puts it, it has been a long and winding, but very exciting ride on his journey at PennDOT.

From Brian's perspective, one exciting thing about a career at PennDOT is the fact our world is always changing. He started his career in Central Office as a Civil Engineer Trainee in a bureau called the Bureau of Bridge and Roadway Technology, or BART, in the Highway Administration Deputate. In 1991, two years after he first joined PennDOT, Brian began working in the Bureau of Rail Freight.

He learned a lot about PennDOT's support of freight movement, which later influenced his other interests at PennDOT. After Rail Freight, Brian secured a position in the Bureau of Design as an Assistant Geometric Review Engineer. Brian spent the next 19 years in various positions in the Bureau of Design, including serving as Chief of the Highway Quality Assurance Division, and later Chief of the Design Services Division.

In October 2011, Brian became the Chief of the Planning and Contract Management Division in the Program Center which is in the Planning Deputate.

A major transformation that Brian has been involved in the past 10 years is a greater focus and understanding of local government considerations at the start of the planning process for transportation projects. Today, via PennDOT Connects and other outreach, planning for new projects begins with a conversation with local government planners to understand community needs that could involve bicycling, walking, or safe access to transit stops. The intent behind this conversation is to clarify issues early in the project planning process, to avoid project delays - and project cost increases - later in the project delivery process. Ultimately, the goal is to create a better quality of life for local communities through PennDOT projects.

In August 2019, Brian had the honor of moving into his current role as the Bureau Director of the Program Center.

“A core element of what we do in the Program Center is to ensure federal and state funding is properly aligned with the most urgent and appropriate transportation needs across the Commonwealth," said Brian.

Though Brian has worn many hats over his career, one thing that remained constant is his dedication to improving the lives of Pennsylvanians. Brian is thrilled to have served in State Government and he hopes he has made a small difference in his attempts to improve the lives of motorists, economic development, and local communities across Pennsylvania.



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