Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Coleman said Thursday he planned to resign his position when Gov.-elect Sonny Perdue takes office, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Perdue had called for his resignation.

The transportation board elects the commissioner, a setup intended to shield transportation decisions from political influence. Board members admit, however, they appoint whomever the governor suggests, as they did for Gov. Roy Barnes in electing Coleman in 2000.

Coleman said he would stick around during a transition period or continue serving if Perdue asked. Perdue told department heads they could reapply for their positions.

GDOT is beginning a massive road- and transit-building program in metro Atlanta. It is also beginning programs started under Coleman, such as a personnel-retention and -training program and a fuel-tax fraud investigation.