Karl S. Bowers

Karl S. Bowers became Deputy Federal Highway administrator in June 1977 and was appointed Administrator on August 3, 1978.

He came from a highway background, having served as a South Carolina State Highway Commissioner, 1974 to 1977; Vice Chairman of the State Highway and Public Transportation Commission, 1975; and Chairman of the Commission, 1976.

Under Bower's tenure, the Federal Highway Administration:

• Accomplished an enviable record in minority recruitment and hiring and in the promotion of the Minority Business Enterprise Program.
• Made significant strides towards the Congressional mandate to expedite completion of the Interstate System.
• Emphasized commitment to rehabilitating and repairing the existing highway network.
• Reduced the inflationary rate in highway construction during 1979 over the previous year, in the face of serious escalating costs.
• Accomplished its highest level of obligations in history -- $9.3 billion overall, with $8.5 billion for those programs subject to the congressional law.