Gov. Nathan Deal is appointing a political adviser as Georgia's transportation planning director.

Toby Carr will have a key role in deciding which projects get funded with the state's $2 billion annual gas tax budget.

Carr is a former director of the Georgia Republican Party. He was director of Deal's gubernatorial transition committee and has been serving as Deal's transportation policy adviser.

Carr replaces Todd Long, a career engineer and transportation planner. Long was appointed by Gov. Sonny Perdue and kept on by Deal. He has now moved to deputy commissioner of the state Department of Transportation.

Tags: Department of Transportation, Nathan Deal, transportation projects, transportation planning, political adviser