Kris Kolluri, the CEO of the Gateway Development Commission and the leader given so much of the credit for getting the project fully funded — and doing so while bringing together numerous leaders (and agendas) from two states and the federal government — announced Thursday that he will resign from his post, effective Aug. 16.
In a letter to Vice Chair Tony Coscia and co-Chairs Balpreet Grewal-Virk and Alicia Glen, Kolluri said he was grateful for the opportunity to lead the group.
“The progress we have made together is historic, meaningful and measurable,” he wrote.
Kolluri said he feels the next phase of the project requires a new leader.
“Given the anticipated start of major tunnel construction this fall, it is the right time for me to step down and let the next leader oversee the construction phase of HTP,” he wrote.
The story was first reported by NorthJersey.com.
Kolluri, a highly respected leader of infrastructure and development projects for decades, said the experience was one he’ll treasure.
“For me, the work at GDC was personal,” he said. “From 2006 to 2008, I had the privilege of leading the New Jersey Department of Transportation and advancing the ARC Tunnel Project. The task at GDC was to work with the team to take HTP further than ARC Tunnel had ever advanced, i.e., secured by full funding, to build a coalition and framework for management of the Hudson Tunnel Project between the states and Amtrak, and to start major construction in New Jersey and New York. We have reached that moment. Today, the most urgent infrastructure project in the country is at a point of no return.”
Kolluri was grateful to so many.
“With unmatched support from President Joseph R. Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Govs. Phil Murphy and Kathy Hochul and the congressional delegation, GDC staff, along with our partners at Amtrak, NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will oversee the construction of the first set of heavy rail tunnels under the Hudson River in over 114 years,” he wrote. “I also appreciate the unwavering support of the United States Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. It has been a privilege to work on the nation’s most consequential infrastructure project. I look forward to seeing you and the team at GDC complete HTP.”
