February 4, 2025

Gregg Spotts leaves role as SDOT transportation director

Photo from Greg Spotts, via LinkedIn

Spotts became SDOT’s director of transportation in September 2022.

The city bid a fond goodbye yesterday to former Seattle Department of Transportation Director Greg Spotts.

As of today, Deputy Mayor Adiam Emery will become the SDOT interim director.

Spotts was appointed to the position in September 2022. During his tenure he led the department to increase the pace of construction during the final years of the 2015 Levy to Move Seattle, advanced new Vision Zero efforts, finalized the Seattle Transportation Plan, which details the city's 20-year vision for transportation based on years of public input and engagement, and celebrated the success of the 2024 Transportation Levy.

The 2024 $1.5 billion transportation levy was approved by voters in November. The funding package will enhance the city's transportation infrastructure by funding new sidewalks, street paving, bridge repairs, and transit connection improvements.

Photo courtesy of SDOT [enlarge]

Seattle’s first protected bike intersection, at Thomas Street and Dexter Avenue North in South Lake Union, was installed under Spotts’ tenure.

From the outset, safety was Spotts' priority. On his first day as SDOT director, he issued a call to action to create a review of the authority's Vision Zero Program to end traffic deaths and serious injuries. This resulted in the Vision Zero Action plan, which established 22 broad strategies and over 80 concrete actions to prevent serious crashes.

He also led the department to increase the pace of project design and construction under what he dubbed the “fast and flavorful” theme. More than 180 projects to maintain and modernize streets and bridges broke ground during his tenure.

In addition, Spotts streamlined the scheduling of smaller projects delivered by SDOT crews and enhanced accountability systems to keep large capital projects on track.

In 2024, SDOT started construction on over 30 large contracted projects, which is over 2.5 times as many as recent years before his appointment.

Over the course of his tenure, Spotts was able to secure roughly $185 million in federal, state and regional grants including $26 million for street safety projects.

In press release, Spotts said he is “excited to pass the baton to the next leader of SDOT, an agency which now has the plans and the resources to maintain and modernize Seattle's streets and bridges.” He added, “I depart the Puget Sound with great enthusiasm for Seattle's future, and profound gratitude for the opportunity to serve a dynamic, innovative and fast-growing city with unlimited potential.”