Hudson River tunnel project CEO quits after being referenced in Norcross indictment

The CEO of the $16 billion Gateway project to build a new tunnel under the Hudson River announced his resignation Thursday, one month after he was repeatedly referenced in the indictment of powerful South Jersey political boss George Norcross .

Kris Kolluri was appointed two years ago to helm the bistate development corporation overseeing the country's largest public works project. While Kolluri isn’t accused of any wrongdoing, the Norcross indictment details his career path, describing him as “Individual-1.” Norcross, a Democrat, is accused of using his political power to extort property and development rights in Camden.

The indictment shows how Kolluri secured jobs influenced by Norcross, including the Camden nonprofit at the center of the alleged corruption scheme.

Kolluri told Gothamist after a July 6 press conference that the repeated references to him in the Norcross case had no effect on his work for Gateway and said at the time that he would not be resigning.

“I have a lot more work to do,” he said. “So, look forward to doing the work.”

He rejected the idea that the indictment had any implications for him.

“I’m standing here. I went to Camden to do a job. I did a job, just like I’m doing at [Gateway Development Corporation],” he said. “If there was something to be said, they would have said it a long time ago.”

He spoke at the new tunnel's construction site in Manhattan, where officials were celebrating a landmark $6.8 billion funding commitment. Kolluri joined New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York and federal Department of Transportation officials at the gathering.

Kolluri wrote in his resignation letter that it was the "right time" to step down now that major construction on the project has begun.

“We built an organization from the ground up and recruited extraordinary and committed people to work on the Hudson Tunnel Project," Kolluri wrote. "The progress we have made together is historic, meaningful and measurable." His resignation is effective Aug. 16.

A spokesperson for the project declined to respond to questions about whether Kolluri's decision had to do with the Norcross indictment.

For years, Kolluri was a close ally to Norcross, who was charged last month with running a corruption ring that also included former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, as well Norcross’ brother, attorney Philip Norcross.

In 2017, Kolluri left his job as CEO of the Rowan University/Rutgers–Camden Board of Governors, allowing Redd, whose mayoral term was ending, to take over, according to the indictment. Norcross played a role in creating the board of governors, which included many members of his political machine.

In 2018, the indictment alleges, Norcross ousted the CEO of Camden Community Partnership, which was managing a lucrative real estate deal in Camden, despite having no official role on the nonprofit’s board. Kolluri was then hired as the new CEO, according to the indictment. The organization was known at the time as the Coopers Ferry Partnership.

Four years later, Kolluri left Camden Community Partnership and was appointed CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, with a $400,000 salary. Redd took over Kolluri’s position at the partnership. The Norcross indictment does not reference the Gateway project.

Redd and the Norcross brothers have pleaded not guilty.

Kolluri's tenure at Gateway centered on securing the largest federal grant ever issued to a mass transit project.

The new tunnel is expected to be completed by 2035. Fixes to the existing tunnel are scheduled to be complete three years later.