President Obama has nominated the current mayor of Charlotte, N.C., Anthony Foxx, as the next Secretary of Transportation. According to the White House, Foxx made a major investment in Charlotte’s transportation infrastructure, which helped improve the region’s economy. The White House noted that since Foxx took office, the region has broken ground on a new streetcar project, expanded the international airport, and is extending the city’s light rail system.

President Obama also thanked outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for his work during the past four years.

“Over the past four years, thanks to Ray's leadership, we’ve built or improved more than 350,000 miles of road -- enough to circle the world more than 14 times,” Obama said. “We’ve upgraded more than 6,000 miles of rail – enough to go coast to coast and back. We’ve repaired or replaced more than 20,000 bridges, and helped put tens of thousands of construction workers back on the job.”