As New York State embarks on one of the most ambitious eras of infrastructure investment in its history, Marie Therese Dominguez stands at the helm of that effort as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Since her unanimous confirmation in June 2019, Dominguez has helped lead the agency through a transformative period of road, bridge, transit and aviation improvements that stretch far beyond New York City and touch communities across every region of the state.
Dominguez’s leadership reflects a blend of deep policy expertise, federal experience and a focus on safety, resilience and equitable access to transportation — characteristics that define the “new faces” shaping New York’s infrastructure in the 21st century.
Before her current role, Dominguez served in senior positions across the federal government, including as Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation — a post she was unanimously confirmed for by the U.S. Senate — and as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. She also held leadership roles at the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Postal Service, and in the White House under President Clinton. Her diverse background in transportation, energy infrastructure, safety and logistics provides her with a rare vantage point on the challenges and opportunities facing New York’s vast transportation network.
At NYSDOT, Dominguez oversees more than 8,500 professionals responsible for a system that includes over 113,000 highway lane miles, 17,400 bridges, a 3,500-mile passenger and freight rail network, nearly 500 aviation facilities, and dozens of seaports and transit operators statewide.
Under Dominguez’s leadership, NYSDOT has pushed forward a suite of projects and initiatives that extend well beyond the urban core:
- Dominguez has championed record-level paving and maintenance efforts that aim to improve more than 2,000 lane miles of roads across the state as part of a historic investment plan.
- Safety enhancements, including upgraded curb ramps, crosswalks and signage in Jefferson County, reflect the department’s goal of reducing highway deaths to zero.
- In Binghamton — a hub of the Southern Tier — NYSDOT’s multimillion-dollar reconstruction of Court Street improved access for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists and reinforced a critical commercial corridor.
- In Sullivan County, Dominguez celebrated the opening of a modernized terminal at the regional airport, a project aimed at bolstering tourism and economic activity in the Catskills region.
- Renovations at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport underscore the commitment to enhancing aviation infrastructure outside metropolitan centers.
Dominguez has overseen expansions of smart programs like road salt management to reduce environmental impact during winter maintenance, and she has supported funding for active transportation projects statewide through programs that make millions available for walking and biking infrastructure.
Public engagement efforts, such as outreach for the Queen City Forward initiative in Buffalo, illustrate NYSDOT’s growing focus on community-driven planning in Western New York.
A new highway maintenance facility in East Fishkill demonstrates a commitment to efficient operations and rapid response to weather and emergencies across the Hudson Valley and beyond.
Despite these advances, Dominguez faces significant challenges as NYSDOT prepares for the next phase of infrastructure transformation:
- Climate and Resilience: With increasingly extreme weather events impacting roads, bridges and transit systems, building resilient infrastructure that withstands floods, storms and winter extremes remains a priority. Expanding EV charging infrastructure and leading coordinated clean-energy transportation efforts are part of that broader agenda.
- Equitable Access: Ensuring that investments benefit communities across all regions — from rural upstate towns to small cities and suburban hubs — requires balancing competing needs and limited budgets while addressing accessibility and environmental justice concerns.
- Workforce and Innovation: Maintaining and growing a skilled transportation workforce, adopting new technologies and integrating smart mobility solutions will be key to meeting future travel demands and safety goals.
As New York invests tens of billions in rebuilding and modernizing its transportation assets, Dominguez’s vision emphasizes collaboration — with local governments, regional planners, and diverse stakeholders — and a commitment to a transportation system that is safe, sustainable, and accessible for all residents.
From the Thousand Islands to the Southern Tier, from the Hudson Valley to the Finger Lakes, the infrastructure Revitalized under her watch is reshaping how New Yorkers move, work and connect. Whether upgrading rural airport terminals or pioneering statewide safety programs, Dominguez’s leadership is leaving a lasting imprint on the Empire State’s roads, paths and transitways.
