By Forum Staff
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber on Wednesday announced that he has appointed Catherine Sheridan to serve as president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels. She has served as interim president since March 4.
During her five months as interim president, Sheridan continued to build on the success of recovering toll revenue through pursuit of persistent toll violators, yielding an increase in revenue recovery of almost 85 percent. Through July, Bridge and Tunnel Officers interdicted 2,021 vehicles, 8 percent more than were interdicted in all of 2022. Collisions are also down about 6 percent even with an increase in traffic of 3.5 percent compared to the same time last year. Additionally, one of Sheridan’s more recent focuses has been advancing the implementation of congestion pricing.
“Cathy Sheridan is a proven leader with transportation experience to excel in this role,” Lieber said. “Her background and track record in executing large projects during her time at MTA Construction and Development, the New York State Thruway and NYS DOT has prepared her well for the challenge of running the MTA’s world-famous bridges and tunnels.”
An engineer and transportation leader with extensive experience at the MTA, the New York State Canal Corporation, and the New York State Thruway Authority, Sheridan joined the MTA in 2019 and served as chief of staff at MTA Construction & Development since October 2021. During her time at MTA C&D, Sheridan led day-to-day agency operations for the MTA’s historic $55 billion 2020-2024 capital program. Prior to the MTA, Sheridan served as the Chief Engineer at the New York State Canal Corporation and Chief Engineer at the New York State Thruway Authority, where in addition to being responsible for its multi-billion-dollar capital program, she was an executive advisor for the $3.9 billion Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge project. Sheridan also served in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer from 1989 to 1997, reaching the rank of Captain.
Sheridan earned a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from Columbia University in the City of New York and a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from Boston University. She is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and WTS International. In 2022, Sheridan was named by Crain’s New York Business as one of the 40 Notable Women in Construction, Design and Architecture.
“I am honored to be at the helm of the largest bridge and tunnel authority in the nation with an experienced and knowledgeable team,” Sheridan said. “I want to thank Janno for the confidence he is showing in me to serve in this role. We have started off strong, building on initiatives to collect toll revenue that go towards the sustainability and future of B&T facilities, including accessibility improvements, as well as mass transit. I look forward to our continued efforts as we make advancements in operations, strategies and use of new technologies.”
Sheridan succeeds Daniel F. DeCrescenzo Jr., who retired in March 2023 after four years as MTA Bridges and Tunnels president and 33 years at the MTA.
