Panelists & Speakers

Carlos Braceras

Professional Title: Director

Organization: Utah DOT

Sessions: Lunch Keynote 2

Biography

Carlos M. Braceras was appointed executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) by Governor Gary Herbert on May 6, 2013. He was reappointed to serve as executive Director by Governor Spencer Cox in January 2021. In this capacity, he is responsible for UDOT’s more than 1,600 employees and the design, construction, and maintenance of Utah’s 6,000-mile system of roads and highways. He has recently launched a redefining of the Department’s goals and mission and has overseen the completion of several massive highway projects like the Utah County I-15 Corridor Expansion (I-15 CORE) and the Mountain View Corridor in west Salt Lake County. Both projects used innovative contracting methods that allowed each to be completed in record time. Braceras joined UDOT in 1986. Prior to being appointed as executive director, he served as deputy director for 12 years. Braceras has also served as the director of UDOT’s Region Three Office, chief geotechnical engineer, chief value engineer, a member of the Legacy Parkway/I-15 North Project team and as a roadway design engineer. He was named the “1998 State of Utah Governor’s Manager of the Year” and was the 1998 recipient of the “UDOT Leader of the Year” Award. Prior to joining UDOT, Braceras worked as a well-site geologist doing oil and gas exploration and development. Braceras is currently chair of the AASHTO Design Committee, chair of the Center for Environmental Excellence Advisory Board, member and past chair of the TRB Executive Committee, member of the board of directors and past president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, member of the board of directors and past president of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, past chair of ITS America, and past chair of RUC West. Braceras received an undergraduate degree in Geology from the University of Vermont and an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah. He is a registered professional engineer.