JERSEY CITY—Mayor James Solomon has appointed a new Department of Infrastructure director to oversee the city's transportation and engineering operations. Andy Kaplan, a Jersey City resident and award-winning transportation professional, will assume the cabinet-level position pending City Council confirmation. The council is expected to vote on the appointment at its March 25, 2026 meeting.

Local Engineer Brings Port Authority Experience

Solomon announced the appointment Thursday evening, selecting a local engineer with more than 15 years of experience in transportation safety, operations, and planning. Kaplan has served on the mayor's Transit and Transportation Policy Committee and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. He previously oversaw traffic engineering operations for the Port of New York and New Jersey. His background includes extensive work on traffic safety initiatives aimed at eliminating fatalities.

Kaplan expressed enthusiasm for the role. "I am honored to serve the city I call home and am raising my children in," he stated. "Jersey City has incredible momentum and an opportunity to build infrastructure that allows our community to travel to school, work and friends — safely — no matter if they are walking, cycling, taking transit or driving." His comments emphasized multimodal transportation equity.

The Department of Infrastructure oversees critical municipal functions, including engineering, architectural design, traffic engineering, transportation planning, and sustainability initiatives. The director reports directly to the Business Administrator and coordinates closely with the mayor's office on major capital projects. The position carries an annual salary of approximately $195,000.

Solomon Praises Vision Zero Commitment

Mayor Solomon pointed to Kaplan's qualifications and his local roots. "Andy and Annisia are exactly the kind of leaders Jersey City needs right now," the mayor stated. "Andy has spent his entire career making transportation systems safer, smarter, and more equitable through Vision Zero, and he lives here, he knows our infrastructure, and he is genuinely invested in our community." The appointment fills a key vacancy in Solomon's cabinet as he approaches his 100th day in office.

The infrastructure directorship has been vacant since former Director Barkha Patel departed at the end of the Fulop administration. Patel oversaw significant safety improvements and expansion of protected bike lanes during her tenure. The position remained unfilled during the early months of Solomon's administration as officials conducted a nationwide search for qualified candidates. The selection represents a return to local leadership after the extensive recruitment effort.

Concurrent with Kaplan's appointment, Solomon removed the "acting" designation from Annisia Cialone, confirming her as permanent head of the city's Department of Housing, Economic Development, and Commerce. Cialone has led the department since August 2018, nearly eight years of service spanning two mayoral administrations. Her permanent appointment took effect immediately, unlike Kaplan's which requires council approval.

Confirmation and Challenges Ahead

The dual appointments signal Solomon's approach to staffing key administrative positions. By elevating an experienced internal candidate in Cialone and bringing in fresh external expertise with Kaplan, the mayor balances continuity with new perspective. Both appointments reflect priorities articulated during Solomon's campaign: maintaining housing development momentum while improving transportation safety and infrastructure quality.

Kaplan's immediate challenges will include managing ongoing capital projects, addressing traffic safety concerns, and implementing the city's sustainability goals. Jersey City has committed to eliminating traffic deaths through engineering improvements, enforcement, and education. The infrastructure director plays a central role in designing street modifications that protect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

The appointment also comes as Jersey City grapples with state funding uncertainties and budget constraints. The Department of Infrastructure manages significant capital expenditures on roadways, utilities, and public facilities. Kaplan will need to navigate competing priorities while delivering projects on time and within budget. His experience at the Port Authority may prove valuable in managing large-scale infrastructure investments.

Community advocates have called for aggressive action on traffic safety following several pedestrian fatalities in recent years. Safety supporters will likely scrutinize Kaplan's commitment to rapid implementation of protected bike lanes, pedestrian improvements, and traffic calming measures. His previous work on transportation safety committees suggests alignment with these advocacy priorities.

The City Council confirmation process typically involves committee review and a full council vote. Kaplan will likely appear before the council's infrastructure or public works committee before the March 25 vote. Council members may question him about specific project priorities, traffic safety strategies, and coordination with other departments. The appointment is expected to pass without significant opposition, given Solomon's working majority on the council.

Kaplan joins an administration that has emphasized professional expertise in key appointments. His engineering background and transportation planning experience align with Solomon's stated goal of making city government more responsive to constituent concerns about quality of life issues. The infrastructure director will be a visible presence at community meetings, ribbon cuttings, and public safety events.

The March 25 council vote will finalize Kaplan's appointment and allow him to begin implementing his vision for Jersey City's infrastructure. Once confirmed, he will assume responsibility for a department with dozens of employees and millions in annual capital spending. His success will be measured by tangible improvements in street safety and resident satisfaction with municipal services.

Sources

• John Heinis, Hudson County View, "Solomon names Andy Kaplan new Jersey City infrastructure director" (March 17, 2026) 

• John Heinis, Hudson County View, "Solomon appoints new infrastructure director, names Cialone permanent housing head" (March 17, 2026) 

• City of Jersey City, "Mayor Solomon Announces Appointment of Department of Infrastructure Director and Commissioner of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce" (March 17, 2026)