Keith Melton, Arlington's Public Works and Transportation director since 2011, has announced his retirement.

During his 32-year career with the city, Melton played a major role in transportation planning and mobility improvements that benefited not only Arlington but the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Melton's accomplishments include overseeing the creation and implementation of Traffic Management Operational Plans for AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Park and the entire entertainment district, which attracts more than 8 million visitors annually. Additionally, he championed major infrastructure improvements that include the transformative Interstate 30/Three Bridges Project and the completion of the Green Oaks Boulevard loop.

Melton also led the design and installation of a world-class Traffic Management Center and Intelligent Transportation System for the nearly 100-square-mile city.

"Keith Melton has spent his entire career helping Arlington successfully maintain and improve its vast street and sidewalk network. His deep understanding about the City's role in the regional transportation system and the community's future mobility needs has been invaluable," City Manager Trey Yelverton said.

Melton will retire effective March 18. David Wynn, currently an assistant director in the Arlington Public Works and Transportation Department, will serve as the interim director while the City conducts a national search for Melton's replacement.

Melton joined the City in 1984 as a civil engineer and also served stints as design team leader and design operations manager before rising through the ranks in Public Works and Transportation to become first Assistant Director and then Director.

Other achievements include the creation of the pavement management system to identify and prioritize issues along the City's 1,100 linear miles of roadway, use of technology to improve the accountability and efficiency of the Department and development of the City's first design criteria manual. Melton negotiated with Union Pacific to create Quiet Zones with safety improvements that allow trains not to blare their horns through downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

He was also responsible for the implementation of six bond elections totaling over $600 million in voter-approved funding to rebuild and maintain aging streets and sidewalks.

"I'm not sure there's anything more effective in revitalizing a neighborhood than building a new street," Melton said. "It has been an honor to work for the citizens of Arlington and my fellow staff members in this incredible City. Hopefully I have left Arlington a better place to live."

Melton is a UT Arlington graduate, earning his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering in 1983. He is a registered professional engineer in Texas and is a member of the American Public Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Institute of Transportation Engineers. In 2011, Melton received the Public Works Leader of the Year award from the Texas Public Works Association.