The longtime head of the New York State Department of Transportation’s Central New York Region is retiring. David Smith is stepping down after 33 years in public service, including the last nine leading DOT operations across six counties: Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, and Tompkins.
Smith oversaw hundreds of staff and helped deliver major infrastructure projects, most notably the I-81 Viaduct Project in Syracuse, called the largest in DOT history.
Smith began his career with the DOT in 1992 on Long Island and rose through the ranks, moving to Central New York in 2003. He was named regional director in 2016.
DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez praised Smith’s leadership, calling his contributions “invaluable.” Smith said he’s proud of what’s been accomplished and confident in the team continuing the work.
NYSDOT Central New York Regional Director David Smith said, “I have every confidence that our dedicated team will see Central New York’s projects through to successful completion. This community has long been my home, and I know the professionals that make up every component of the Department of Transportation in Central New York will continue to prioritize its needs, working to ensure our infrastructure remains modern, reliable, resilient, and safe for all. As I look forward to this next chapter, I do so with deep gratitude and pride in what we have accomplished together.”
Andy Stiles, a 27-year DOT veteran currently serving as Regional Director in Binghamton, will take over in the interim.
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