Catherine Rinaldi, Former Metro-North President, To Serve As Gateway Development Commission Executive Vice President

Catherine Rinaldi

New York MTA photo

NEW YORK –– The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) announceed that Catherine Ridaldi, who served as President of MTA's Metro-North Railroad from 2018 until last month, will be GDC's first Executive Vice President effective today.

Rinaldi has held senior executive positions with the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and served seven years as Metro-North President. These are two of the busiest commuter rail systems in the United States. During her leadership of Metro-North, the agency achieved the highest customer satisfaction rating of any MTA Operation and on-time performance rose to an all-time high. In addition, while serving as President of the LIRR in 2022 and 2023, that agency’s trains began service into the new Grand Central Madison terminal, which was the largest increase in service in LIRR’s history.

As EVP at GDC, Rinaldi will be responsible for all essential administrative functions and is charged with developing and tracking metrics to ensure GDC achieves its strategic objectives, and other responsibilities. She will also be among key leaders responsible for boosting the organization’s ability to deliver the Hudson Tunnel Project.

Rinaldi’s career in transportation began as MTA’s Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel. She then served as Vice President and General Counsel at LIRR and Chief of Staff and Counsel to the MTA Chair. Rinaldi was the first woman to serve as Metro-North President and she remained in that role until March 2025. During her tenure at MTA, she was asked to concurrently lead the LIRR on an interim basis.

GDC CEO Tom Prendergast said that “Cathy Rinaldi’s impressive track record speaks for itself. 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.”

GDC is now transitioning into heavy civil construction and work is expected to rapidly accelerate in the next few months as the first five packages are underway, which are expected to support 20,200 jobs and $4.5 billion in economic output.

Here are the latest updates from GDC on construction progress:

• The Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project passed 50% completion on schedule and on budget last year, 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 underway in advance of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) launch in 2026. Similar early preparations are in progress on theManhattan Tunnel Project, which was awarded in February 2025