NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has selected a veteran transportation official from New York City to lead the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT).
The mayor announced that Ryan Lynch, who currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, will become NDOT’s next director. Lynch will begin the position on Aug. 31.
Bringing Big-City Transportation Experience
Lynch brings 20 years of transportation experience to the role and has overseen large-scale transportation projects in New York City.
Mayor O’Connell said Lynch’s experience will help Nashville continue expanding its transportation network as the city grows.
“Building a transportation system that better fits Nashville and the major American city we’ve become requires steady, visionary leadership, and Ryan is the right person for the job,” O’Connell said. “We’re excited to add his expertise to NDOT, especially as we scale up its work through Choose How You Move investments.”
Focus on “Choose How You Move”
Lynch will oversee NDOT as the department continues implementing Choose How You Move, Nashville’s largest transportation improvement program.
City officials said NDOT plays a key role in carrying out Nashville’s transportation vision through infrastructure projects, policy implementation, and multimodal improvements across the city.
Lynch will work alongside the department’s existing leadership team, including Interim Director Phillip Jones, who has led NDOT since February.
During his tenure as interim director, Jones oversaw the department’s response to winter ice storms and helped advance multiple sidewalk, traffic signal, and street improvement projects in coordination with the mayor’s office and the Choose How You Move initiative.
Second Permanent Director
Lynch will become only the second permanent director of NDOT since the department was established in 2021.
City leaders said his appointment is intended to help guide the continued growth and modernization of Nashville’s transportation system as the city’s population and infrastructure needs continue to expand.
