GRMCA Oral History Podcast: Russell McMurry P.E., Commissioner, GA Department of Transportation

In this episode of our Oral History Podcast, Bill visits the Georgia Department of Transportation headquarters in downtown Atlanta for a conversation with Commissioner Russell McMurry. Commissioner McMurry reflects on growing up near Lake Hartwell, discovering an early interest in engineering and construction, and beginning his career with GDOT in 1990 as an engineering intern working in construction. He went on to serve the department in a variety of roles before being named chief engineer. Governor Nathan Deal later appointed him as the department’s planning director, and in 2015, he was appointed commissioner by a unanimous vote of the State Transportation Board. During the conversation, Commissioner McMurry discusses the evolution of highway construction, the growing role of technology, and the infrastructure demands created by Georgia’s continued population and economic growth. He also shares the remarkable story of rebuilding the collapsed I-85 bridge in just 42 days—an effort that demonstrated the power of collaboration, innovation, decisive leadership, and a shared mission. Commissioner McMurry also highlights GDOT’s longstanding partnership with GRMCA and the ready mixed concrete industry. He discusses the importance of quality, safety, durable construction, and having GRMCA serve as a collective voice for producers working with the department. Throughout the episode, he returns to a central theme: major projects are made possible by people and relationships. From contractors and suppliers to engineers and inspectors, success depends on working together toward a common goal. Today, Russell R. McMurry, P.E., leads the Georgia Department of Transportation, which oversees the nation’s 10th-largest state transportation system with a multibillion-dollar operating budget and a staff of approximately 4,000. His leadership also extends nationally: in 2025, he was elected president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), representing transportation agencies across the country.