New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced former New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri was their nominee for CRO of the Gateway Development Commission.
The commission, a joint partnership between New York, New Jersey, and Amtrak, coordinates the delivery of the Gateway Program with its partner agencies, including the redevelopment of the Portal North Bridge and the Hudson River Tunnel.
Kolluri previously served as the NJ DOT Commissioner from January 2006 to December 2008. In that role, he also served as Chairman of NJ Transit, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority. During his time there, Kolluri oversaw 17,000 employees, more than $3.6 billion in capital funds, and over $2 billion in operating funds.
“With his extensive resume, Kris Kolluri brings an extraordinary record of public service, and I am confident he will serve New York and New Jersey well as Chief Executive Officer of the Gateway Development Commission,” Hochul said. “The Gateway Hudson Tunnel is critical to the Northeast corridor serving more than 800,000 passengers daily, and is a key component of our plan to build back stronger than ever. I thank Governor Murphy for his collaboration on this selection, and I look forward to continuing our work to secure federal funding, in partnership with the Biden Administration, for these vital projects and deliver for New York and New Jersey.”
The Gateway Development Commission’s Board will consider Kolluri’s nomination at its next meeting, expected to happen on May 16.
“I am honored to be nominated by Governors Phil Murphy and Kathy Hochul to be Chief Executive Officer of the Gateway Development Commission. I look forward to meeting the Commissioners and supporting their important work,” Kolluri said. “There is a clear and present opportunity and desire among federal, state, and bi-state partners to advance the Hudson Tunnel Project and the Gateway Program. In the short term, the HTP is poised to move forward, and the Commission has a critical role in overseeing the successful delivery of this project. Should my candidacy be approved by the Commissioners, I commit to being singularly focused on ensuring that this collaborative effort results in HTP’s fruition.”