Retired bridge leader leaves legacy of excellence
Tara Sullivan, the first female chief executive of the New York State Bridge Authority retired July 15, capping her 30-year career in public service. Earlier positions included Woodstock Town Board member, Ulster County legislator, regional representative of the governor, executive director of the Hudson Quadricentennial, and chair of the Dutchess County Ethics Board.
During her decade at the Bridge Authority, starting as its second-in-command, Sullivan kept the agency on its historical course, efficiently managing the five Mid-Hudson Valley bridges with the highest safety rating and lowest tolls in New York state.
One of Sullivan’s signature accomplishments was the Hudson River Skywalk, linking the homes and studios of 19thcentury Hudson River School painters Thomas Cole and Frederic Church across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Under her leadership, the Bridge Authority improved the pedestrian walkway and added viewing platforms, offering today’s Hudson River artists and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the river and Catskill Mountain vistas that inspired Cole and Church.
Sullivan led the authority in implementing many bold projects and initiatives that have advanced and strengthened the Hudson Valley’s infrastructure, economy and quality of life, including:
• The largest capital project in the authority’s history — redecking the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge’s north span, currently underway, on time and on budget. Cashless tolling has been implemented at the bridge, while the groundwork has been laid for the same change at all of the authority’s bridges by early 2022.
• Maintaining the bridges in excellent condition, consistently earning a Level 5 rating.
• Bringing a solar farm to the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, enabling the authority to meet the governor’s energy goals.
Sullivan also was the founding chairperson of Historic Bridges of the Hudson Valley, the educational not-for-profit for which I serve as executive director. She recognized that the bridges can be classrooms and sources of inspiration for young people to encourage their pursuit of education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Historic Bridges of the Hudson Valley provides curriculum materials based on bridge engineering, bridge histories, and their role in the Hudson Valley economy and culture.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Sullivan has been an exemplary leader in her passionate commitment to the staff of the authority — the truly “essential” people who serve on the front line in keeping the bridges safe and in excellent condition.
She reported to the office daily throughout the COVID pandemic to ensure the safety of all workers and the public. And because of programs Sullivan instituted, over the last 10 years there has been a 75% reduction in injuries, making the Bridge Authority a safer work environment and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in workers compensation insurance.
While Sullivan’s tenure at the New York State Bridge Authority has come to an end, her legacy as its first female leader clearly shows she was the right person to lead the Bridge Authority in challenging times.