Nivardo Lopez

Nivardo LopezNivardo Lopez serves as Principal Deputy Chief Program Officer for the Gateway Development Commission (GDC), which is the entity responsible for delivering the Hudson Tunnel Project. At GDC Nivardo oversees, Planning, Policy, Contracts, and Grants portfolio within the Program Office. Most recently, Nivardo served as Deputy Secretary for Transportation, having been named to the role by Governor Kathy Hochul in November of 2021. During his tenure he work on delivering Governor Hochul's ambitious transportation agenda, which included the $32 billion five-year NYS Department of Transportation Capital Program, the passing of the MTA financial stabilization package in 2023, and the upcoming launch of the first in the nation Congestion Pricing program. 

Before coming Deputy Secretary, Nivardo served as Bronx Borough Commissioner for the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT). In that role, he advised the Commissioner on all policy issues affecting transportation in the Bronx and worked with the various divisions within the agency to ensure effective service delivery in the Bronx. Mr. Lopez joined NYCDOT in 2014, as the Director of Legislative Affairs, responsible for developing the agency's legislative agenda. During his tenure he helped to secure the passage of a local law increasing the yearly amount of Accessible Pedestrians Signal installation and on State legislation expanding the Bus Lane Camera Enforcement Program. Mr. Lopez began his career in government working at the New York City Council, first for Bronx Councilman James Vacca and then as a Legislative Policy Analyst for the City Council's Committee on Transportation.

Nivardo is a longtime resident and native of the Bronx. He holds a B.A. in History from Saint Joseph's University and a M.A. in History from The City College of New York (CUNY).