Catherine Rinaldi, who served as President of MTA Metro-North Railroad from 2018 until last March 2025, has been appointed Executive Vice President of the Gateway Development Commission (GDC), a new position.
Rinaldi, GDC said, “will hold a key leadership position responsible for strengthening the organization’s capacity to deliver the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP). She will oversee all essential administrative functions, while developing and tracking metrics to ensure GDC achieves its strategic objectives, among other responsibilities.”
Rinaldi led the two busiest commuter rail systems in the U.S., Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, which she served as Interim President in 2022 and 2023. During her seven years as Metro-North President, on-time performance rose to an all-time high and she achieved the highest customer satisfaction of any of the MTA operating agencies. At LIRR, Rinaldi launched service into the new Grand Central Madison terminal (East Side Access), marking the railroad’s largest service increase.
Rinaldi began her transportation career as MTA Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel. She subsequently served as Vice President and General Counsel at LIRR and Chief of Staff and Counsel to the MTA Chair. While President of Metro-North, Rinaldi was tapped to concurrently lead the LIRR in an interim capacity. She was the first woman to serve as Metro-North President, a role she held until March 2025. Metro-North Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Justin Vonashek succeeded Rinaldi.
“Cathy Rinaldi’s impressive track record speaks for itself,” said GDC CEO Tom Prendergast. “At every agency she’s led, she’s succeeded in instilling a results-driven ethic. With half our contracts in construction and more on the way, top talent like Cathy will help keep the Hudson Tunnel Project on scope, schedule, and budget.”
Rinaldi joins GDC as the organization transitions fully into heavy civil construction. “With work expected to rapidly accelerate in the coming months, the first five packages under way are projected to support 20,200 jobs and $4.5 billion in economic output,” GDC noted. The most construction progress updates:
- The Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project passed 50% completion on schedule and on budget lin 2024, and is anticipated to conclude this year. Excavation for the middle section of the roadway bridge is in progress and gas main relocation will be complete at the end of the month.
- The Hudson Yards Concrete Casing – Section 3 (HYCC-3) team is focused on excavating 80 feet underground to where the new concrete casing section will be built. The project is expected to reach 50% completion this spring.
- Deep soil mixing within the protective cofferdam for the Hudson River Ground Stabilization Project is proceeding on schedule, with approximately 200 columns now reinforcing the riverbed.
Soldier pile installation and other preparatory work on the Palisades Tunnel Project is under way in advance of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) launch in 2026. Similar early preparations are in progress on the Manhattan Tunnel Project, which was awarded in February 2025.
