MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas Tinlin Resigns

MASSACHUSETTS – Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Administrator Thomas Tinlin resigned from the agency Wednesday, months after taking time off to address a medical issue. Tinlin was scheduled to return to his position this week. He had been away since May 1 after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm.

"I am grateful for the excellent care I received after suffering from a subarachnoid brain aneurysm rupture and would like to publicly thank Dr. Ajith Thomas and all of the doctors and nurses at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for returning me to 100 percent so I can start the next chapter of my life as a healthy husband and father," Tinlin said in a statement. "While I am excited about what lies ahead, this has been a difficult decision. I have truly loved serving the people of the Commonwealth, and the City of Boston, and have taken pride in my public service roles for decades. And I am grateful for all the mentors I have had along the way."

Tinlin joined MassDOT in January of 2014 as its chief of operations and maintenance. In March the following the year, he was promoted to highway administrator.

"From grueling snowstorms to toll demolitions, Tom Tinlin was there to see our highway projects through on time and on budget and he always brought his sense of humor and kindness to the job," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a release. "He worked tirelessly to support the Commonwealth’s commuters to ensure everyone got to their destinations quickly and safely in every corner of the state. On behalf of the entire Administration, I thank him for his service and wish him the best of luck toward future endeavors."

While Tinlin was employed by MassDOT, the Highway Division launched new initiatives such as Complete Streets, which provides money to communities for street infrastructure work, and the Municipal Small Bridge Program, a multi-year $50 million program to aid towns and cities in replacing or renovating small municipally-owned bridges.

Under his leadership, the state transitioned from manual to all-electronic toll collections and MassDOT began using technology to modernize highway operations and provide new tools for travel, including real-time travel to destination highway signs and the 511 system.

Tinlin has spent nearly 30 years in public service, working first for the City of Boston and leaving the Menino administration as Boston transportation commissioner. He is active in many Boston organizations, including many non-profit causes in South Boston, where he grew up and raised his family.

"Tom has led the Highway Division with integrity and pride and this state’s transportation system is better because of his management," MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack said in a release. "Tom’s strong work ethic, organizational skills, and collaborative style motivated employees, engaged the public and created partnerships benefitting everyone in the Commonwealth. Tom never wavered in making decisions in the best interest of public safety and leaves MassDOT with a reputation he is deserving of, as a responsive and dedicated public servant."

Jonathan Gulliver, who was named acting administrator in May, will continue in the role through September. Prior to being named acting administrator, he served as director of Highway Division District 3.

Image via MassDOT