Chris Warner, a long-time political insider and transportation adviser to several local and statewide politicians, is officially in charge of Portland’s Bureau of Transportation.

Commissioner Chloe Eudaly announced Thursday that Warner will lead the 900-person city bureau, removing the interim director title he inherited last July when Leah Treat left for the private sector.

As it did when the city hired Treat, Portland conducted a national search for the director’s position, but Warner beat out the three other finalists.

Warner will lead the bureau as it it attempts to live up to promises made to voters in 2016 through a four-year gas tax designed to kickstart paving and safety projects, and he’ll be in charge as the city continues to try and eliminate traffic fatalities through its Vision Zero campaign. He’ll also be an influential voice, along with Eudaly, as Portland and the metro region preps for a 2020 transportation package expected to go to voters.

In a statement, Eudaly said she offered the permanent job to Warner “because he shares my commitment to safety, equity, and sustainability, as do most Portlanders.”

“He understands how difficult it will be to reorient our transportation system to meet the challenges of the future, and I know that he is more than up to the task,” she said in a statement. “He knows our city, he knows PBOT, and he has the skills and experience necessary to turn ideas into actions.”

Eudaly enjoys Warner’s wry sense of humor, but pointed to his resume and expertise on transportation issues stretching back decades.

“Director Warner has earned a reputation for quiet competence and hard work, but I’m excited to see him assert his bold vision as he transitions into the permanent role,” she said.

Warner will be paid a base salary of $212,918 plus benefits, making him one of the highest paid city employees.

Warner moved to the transportation bureau as an assistant director after working for then-Commissioner Steve Novick as his chief of staff.

An Oregon native and vocal University of Oregon sports fan, Warner previously worked for Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, as well as former Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith.

While working for Kulongoski, he helped push two major transportation packages through the Legislature, in 2005 and 2009. In her statement, Eudaly praised Warner for his years-long effort to help people living on unimproved roads see periodic gravel service. She also credited Warner for “the accelerated timeline” on putting projects in downtown intended to speed up buses and transit into use.

Warner officially takes over the bureau as it has dozens of projects expected to be under construction throughout 2019 and 2020, funded by the voter-approved 10-cent per gallon gas tax. The city auditor this week said the city had fallen behind in delivering those projects, but Warner has committed to finishing all planned projects by the end of the four-year gas tax in 2020. Eudaly has also said she would see to renew that program.

The 56-year-old lives in Northeast Portland. His wife, Barbara Smith Warner, is a member of Oregon’s House of Representatives and represents parts of Northeast Portland, Maywood Park and Parkrose.

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen

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