Head of Maryland Department of Transportation to step down in August

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Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld will step away from his duties on Aug. 1, Gov. Wes Moore announced Wednesday.

Deputy Secretary Samantha J. Biddle will act as interim secretary while Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller leads a search to fill the post, according to a news release from Moore’s office.

Moore expressed his gratitude for Wiedefeld’s work over the past two and a half years. Wiedefeld has worked in both the public and private sectors for over 40 years.

“Secretary Wiedefeld brought decades of expertise to our team, and he used that wisdom to cultivate a new generation of talent,” Moore said.  

Some of Wiedefeld’s most important work, according to the news release, centered on getting Purple Line construction back on track and overseeing the response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March 2024. He also secured over $5 billion in federal grants for Maryland transportation projects.

The reason for Wiedefeld’s departure was not immediately clear Wednesday.

Biddle has served in the government since 2014, when she was the State Highway Administration‘s regional planner for Montgomery and Frederick counties. She was eventually promoted to chief of staff before being named deputy secretary alongside Wiedefeld’s appointment.

As deputy secretary, Biddle prioritized safety and return on investments across all areas of transportation in the state.

“Samantha Biddle has the experience, instincts, and knowledge to carry forward the baton of service at the Maryland Department of Transportation,” Moore said. “I look forward to continuing our work together as she takes on this new acting role.”

Miller plans to search across the nation for someone to head the department.

“We are committed to finding a leader ready to meet the urgent needs of our transportation systems,” she said.