Michael Johnson has been appointed as the new Division Administrator of Engineering Services by Director Scott Stokes. Mike has been part of the ITD management team as an engineering manager for the bridge delivery program since 2018. As Division Administrator, Mike will serve as the ITD State Bridge Engineer leading ITD Bridge, Environmental, Right of Way, and Asset Management sections for Highways.
Mike joined ITD in 1992 after graduating with a degree in Engineering from Idaho State University, and received his Professional Engineer’s license in 1996. He starting his career at ITD as part of the EIT program, where he had rotations in construction, traffic, and materials before taking a position in Bridge. Mike has 32 years of engineering experience leading teams and programs with customer service and quality as his priorities.
From 2003 until the end of 2018, Mike branched out from ITD to lead a bridge project delivery section for a consulting firm working across multiple states. He returned to ITD to get more opportunities and to have a better work/life balance. Since returning to ITD, Mike has served as the State Load Rating Engineer, Bridge Design Group Leader, and State Bridge Engineer. Mike has worked closely with the District Engineers and Chief Engineer to solve difficult project delivery and streamline emergency response processes. Mike has also led the way on new initiatives teaming with the EIT Council supporting employees statewide.
Mike has been fortunate to have designed or reviewed over 100 bridge replacements or rehabilitations. His favorite projects included designing US-20 over Henry’s Fork in Island Park, reviewing the design of the Cloverdale Road Bridge over I-84 emergency replacement, and designing the I-86W over UPRR Chubbuck Bridge (which he worked on with his son Zak, an engineer with ITD in Pocatello).
“With more than 30 years of experience, Mike Johnson is a guiding leader with expertise to support teams on complex delivery issues that will serve ITD employees and local partners well as Division Administrator,” said ITD Chief Deputy/Chief Operations Officer Dan McElhinney. “We appreciate his commitment to safety, innovation, quality, and helping make ITD a great place to work.”
Innovation is an essential focus for Johnson, who stated, “I look forward to partnering with stakeholders as we maintain and improve our highways and bridges across Idaho. We have exceptional, dedicated employees, contractors, and consultants, and it will be an honor to team with them to provide a safe and efficient transportation system for all Idahoans.”
Mike and his wife, Kim, have two grown sons, Zak and Parker. In addition to working as an engineer, Mike served 12 years as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves and has coached high school football for the last 14 years. Mike’s hobbies include mountain biking, running, coaching, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his family. Mike was born in Colorado, and spent his childhood moving around the United States following in Dad’s military assignments. Prior to settling in Meridian after college, Mike moved to a different state on average every year and a half.