Guy Costa, who has spent the last decade maintaining the city and telling Pittsburghers what to expect in terms of winter storm road conditions, is resigning from as Public Works Director effective Oct. 2.

Guy Costa

"I just felt that it was time for me to move on," said Mr. Costa, in an interview in his office today, after Mayor Luke Ravenstahl accepted a resignation letter dated Wednesday. "It's been a roller-coaster ride for me. ... The coaster has come to the station, and it's time for another ride."

"You won't find anyone more dedicated to the welfare of the city," said city Operations Director Art Victor, who oversees public works. "We certainly wish him well in whatever he decides to do next."

Mr. Costa said he'll take some leave time between now and October, in order to travel with his 19-year-old son. He will also try to move some projects forward and prepare the city for the September G-20 summit of leaders from the world's industrial powerhouses.

Mr. Victor said it will be up to Mr. Costa to name an acting replacement during the times he's gone, and the city will conduct "a full-blown recruitment for the position" either before or after Mr. Costa leaves.

The 53-year-old from Squirrel Hill was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2006, but he said today that it has not grown and was not a factor in his resignation. Though he has two brothers in the state General Assembly and once, in a moment of pique, said he hadn't ruled out running for mayor, he said today that he has no political ambitions. He wants to continue to work in operations management for a large organization.

Mr. Costa counted as his accomplishments the merging of two other departments into public works, revamping of trash collection, installation of energy-efficient traffic signals, and construction of bike lanes.

His 642-employee department has "come a long way," he said. "We're much leaner" after reducing the vehicle fleet by 15 percent and returning budgeted money to the city's general fund every year.