AASHTO Journal, 3 January 2014
It was announced this week that U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary Polly Trottenberg has been tapped to lead the New York City Department of Transportation under new mayor Bill de Blasio.
“Polly Trottenberg will serve as the Transportation Commissioner, executing Mayor-Elect de Blasio’s ambitious agenda to expand Bus Rapid Transit in the outer boroughs, reduce traffic fatalities, increase bicycling and boost the efficiency of city streets,” according to a statement released Tuesday by de Blasio’s transition team.
Trottenberg was nominated as USDOT Under Secretary of Transportation Policy by President Obama in June 2012 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in January 2013. In this role, Trottenberg stood as the principal advisor to the USDOT Secretary while also leading the development of policies for USDOT, generating proposals, and giving advice on legislative and regulatory initiatives through all transportation modes. Before taking this position, Trottenberg served as Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy at USDOT, was the executive director of Building America’s Future (a non-profit to promote infrastructure investment), and spent 12 years working in the U.S. Senate, lastly for Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA).
In a statement, Trottenberg expressed her desire to get to work.
“One life lost on our streets is too many,” Trottenberg said. “We are committed to the maxim that safety—for everyone who uses the roads, including pedestrians and cyclists—is our top priority. From improving our roads, bridges and waterways to better serve our citizens and businesses, to connecting New Yorkers to jobs and opportunities through improved high-speed bus service, to expanding biking across the five boroughs, we can have a transportation system that is safe, efficient and accessible to all.”
It is not known at this time when Trottenberg will officially begin her new role.