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The basics:

• Leadership changes come as Hudson Tunnel Project ramps up
• James Starace joins as chief of program delivery
• Hamed Nejad promoted to chief engineer
• Project includes 10 construction packages across NJ, NY

During its July 28 board meeting, the Gateway Development Commission announced two key appointments to the organization. The moves come as construction of the Hudson Tunnel Project continues to ramp up.

NJBIZ recently toured the five sites where construction is active – including in both New Jersey and New York, as well as on the Hudson River itself.

See and read more from NJBIZ’s trip to the HTP tour projects underway here.

The GDC announced James Starace will join next month as chief of program delivery. Meanwhile, Hamed Nejad will transition into the role of chief engineer. He has served as acting chief technical officer since last year.

“The Hudson Tunnel Project is not only the most urgent passenger rail project in the country, it is also one of the largest and most complex,” said Alicia Glen, New York GDC commissioner and co-chair; Balpreet Grewal-Virk, New Jersey commissioner and co-chair; and Anthony Coscia, GDC Amtrak commissioner and vice chair, in a joint statement. “We need the best of the best leading the way.”

“A generational project of this magnitude and complexity requires top-notch engineering talent,” said GDC Chief Executive Officer Tom Prendergast. “With tunnel boring through the Palisades on the horizon, excavation well underway in Manhattan, and the under-river tunneling contract to be awarded later this year – this is no room for error.”

Key things to know:

• Starace brings more than 40 years of experience delivering large-scale transportation projects in the region. He joins from HNTB. There, Starace has worked with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority on the $11 billion Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension Improvement Program. He also boasts a long stint with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
  In this new role, Starace will oversee the department responsible for design and construction of the HTP. He will lead all aspects of remaining design and engineering, construction, interface management and other technical work areas. He will also work closely with key stakeholders, serving on GDC’s executive leadership team and reporting to Prendergast.
• Nejad has overseen work to advance two HTP construction packages past 50% completion. They include the start of the first tunnel boring project, as well as the award of the largest HTP construction contract to date. His previous experience includes multiple heavy civil construction projects across the U.S., Australia and the Middle East. In this new role, he will report to Starace. Nejad will continue playing a key role overseeing technical elements of project design and construction, such as design review, value engineering, quality control, permitting and environmental compliance, and safety and construction management.

“Jim brings 40 years of experience to the table from his tenure at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, including the new Goethals Bridge, Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A, and the AirTrain Terminal at Jamaica Station,” said Prendergast.

“Jim brings deep experience working on many of the most significant infrastructure projects on both sides of the Hudson River, and we are thrilled to welcome someone with his background and expertise to the project,” said Glen, Grewal-Virk and Coscia. “His experience will be critical as we continue to advance construction in the years ahead.”

‘Full faith’

Starace said he is grateful for the opportunity to lead GDC’s technical and engineering team in delivering this critical project.

“After decades spent building large infrastructure projects in New York and New Jersey, I know the unique challenges that come with working in this region, and how to work within them,” said Starace. “The Hudson Tunnel Project is the most urgent transit project of our time, and I look forward to working with the team to get the job done for the riders who deserve a 21st century rail experience.”

“Hamed, who has been acting in the role of Chief Technical Officer since last year, has played a key role in advancing multiple packages through procurement and into construction,” said Prendergast.

“Building the Hudson Tunnel Project has been a major goal of mine for years,” said Nejad. “I’m proud that the project is moving full steam ahead now. As its technical demands continue to grow, it is an honor to be tasked with working with Jim Starace to bring together the ten construction packages that make up the project to deliver reliable rail transportation and economic resilience to our region and nation.”

Prendergast added, “I have full faith that Jim and Hamed will get this incredibly important project done right – and on scope, schedule, and budget.”