Phoenix has appointed a new leader to take the reins of its Street Transportation Department. As reported by the City's official newsroom, Briiana Velez, who has lent her expertise to the department for over 23 years, will assume the position of Director starting Aug. 18, 2025. City Manager Jeff Barton announced an extensive nationwide search. Velez’s recent role as Assistant Street Transportation Director, which she held since October 2018, saw her overseeing several critical divisions and handling a considerable operating budget along with a significant five-year Capital Improvement Program.
Holding the department's $150 million operating budget and guiding a massive $1 billion five-year Capital Improvement Program, Velez has also been at the forefront of the Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan and the Active Transportation Program. These initiatives are designed to make the city's roadways safer and more user-friendly. Barton praised Velez in a statement made by the City of Phoenix Newsroom, expressing confidence in her ability to "continue to deliver excellent service to the residents of Phoenix, while advancing innovative transportation solutions."
According to the announcement by the City of Phoenix, Velez expressed her commitment to the city's streets, which she has witnessed improve through "devotion and hard work." "Having spent my entire City career in the Street Transportation Department, I’ve seen firsthand the devotion and hard work that goes into making Phoenix’s streets reliable, more efficient, and more accessible for everyone," Velez said.
A registered Professional Engineer in Arizona, Velez's credentials are strengthened by a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Certified Public Manager accreditation from Arizona State University. Her professional community involvement includes memberships in the American Public Works Association and the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
