N.J., N.Y. Governors Nominate Indian American Kris Kolluri to Head Agency Overseeing Construction of Hudson River Tunnel
- The former commissioner of the N.J. Dept. of Transportation will serve as chief executive officer of the Gateway Development Commission.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul have nominated infrastructure management and operations expert Kris Kolluri to head the Gateway Development Commission. Kolluri, a former commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, will serve as chief executive officer of the agency overseeing the construction of a new tunnel under the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York. The announcement was made today (May 6) by both the governors at the Regional Plan Association Centennial Assembly at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.
A partnership that encompasses both states and Amtrak, the Gateway Development Commission coordinates the delivery of the Gateway Program which includes the redevelopment of the Portal North Bridge and a new Hudson River tunnel. The commission’s board will consider Kolluri’s appointment on May 16.
Kolluri currently serves as the president and CEO of Camden Community Partnership, Inc., an economic and community development non-profit. He oversees an organization that is focused on designing and implementing resident-driven and equity-minded infrastructure, parks and vital social determinants of health projects, according to his profile on the Camden Community Partnership website. He previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Rowan University/Rutgers – Camden Board of Governors (Joint Board), and as CEO of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA).
In a press release issued by Gov. Hochul, Kolluri said he’s “honored” to be nominated. “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,” he said. “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.”
Kolluri served as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) from January 2006 until December 2008. In his capacity, he served as chairman of NJ TRANSIT, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority.