In another notable traffic-related news, Deb Miller announced this week that she would step down as secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation at the end of this year.

Miller was the first woman to lead KDOT and the only previous Cabinet member retained by Gov. Sam Brownback when he took office last January. Her service in the administrations of three different governors is a testament to her stature and expertise as a transportation leader.

Miller said Tuesday that she was pleased to have the opportunity to give a strong launch to the $8 billion program of road, bridge, rail and aviation improvements approved by state legislators about 18 months ago, but that her new job with a transportation consulting firm in Massachusetts is “a great opportunity to do something new.” She plans to continue living in Topeka so she will be able to monitor progress on other important projects that she has helped move forward, including the completion of the South Lawrence Trafficway.

Miller is the longest-serving transportation secretary in state history, and even with the challenging economic conditions that marked her term, she has had a significant positive impact on the state’s transportation systems. She deserves the state’s thanks and best wishes as she moves to a new chapter in her career.