Madison Reporter

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has announced the appointment of Christof Spieler as Madison's new Director of Transportation. Spieler brings a wealth of experience in transportation and urban planning, having worked with cities such as Albuquerque, Boston, Houston, Dallas, and Philadelphia on various projects including bus and rail networks, street design, and highway planning. He is currently the Vice President and Director of Planning at Huitt-Zollars in Houston and serves as a Senior Lecturer at Rice University.

In his new role, Spieler will lead Madison's Department of Transportation, which encompasses the Traffic Engineering Division, Metro Transit, and the Parking Division. Mayor Rhodes-Conway expressed enthusiasm about Spieler joining the team: “I’m thrilled that Christof is bringing his impressive skillset and experience to the Transportation Division. Madison’s urban character and unique geography require an innovative approach to how residents move around our city.”

Spieler holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Rice University. He is a Professional Engineer, a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and LEED Accredited Professional. His publication "Trains, Buses, People: An Opinionated Atlas of US and Canadian Transit" is in its second edition, with another book on urban transportation geometry set for release next year.

Expressing his eagerness to take on this new position, Spieler stated: “I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to direct Madison’s transportation work. I look forward to bringing the skills and experience I’ve developed to a role where we can make sure cars, pedestrians, bikes, and buses all work together... I’m excited about working with the community, a talented team, and committed leadership in a dynamic, growing city.”

Spieler will begin his duties on July 21.