Construction and maintenance advisory for the rail industry

Track Construction, Maintenance,
Development, and Mentorship
Advisory for the Rail Industry

Seasoned rail transit executive with more than 34 years of leadership experience across the NYC Transit system and the broader Metropolitan Transportation Authority network, specializing in right-of-way construction, maintenance, and safety-critical operations.

0+
Years in rail transit
0
Miles of mainline track managed
AREMA · MRCNY · NRCMA
Industry memberships
My work is driven by a clear purpose: to deliver informed, practical guidance that helps clients navigate complex challenges with confidence.

After more than 34 years in rail transit, I founded DKZ Consulting to put that experience to work for others.

I support passenger and heavy-haul railroads in strengthening their construction and maintenance programs, enhancing system reliability, and ensuring that safety remains the foundation of every project and asset they build or maintain.

How I Support Transit and Heavy Haul Rail Operators.

Services
Right-of-Way Tracks

Right-of-Way Construction & Maintenance Advisory

I help passenger and heavy-haul railroads strengthen the safety, reliability, and performance of their construction and maintenance programs. Whether engaged on a short-term assignment or a long-term partnership, I bring decades of field and executive experience to support your most complex maintenance-of-way and capital program decisions.

What you get

  • Stronger construction and maintenance programs
  • Smarter capital investment and prioritization
  • Higher asset reliability and lower operational risk
  • Hands-on maintenance-of-way and construction execution guidance
  • Safety and regulatory compliance support
People Leadership

Frontline Leadership Development & Mentorship

I offer support and development for newly appointed supervisors and managers into confident, capable leaders. Through structured coaching and sustained, field-focused mentorship, I strengthen the frontline leadership your Maintenance of Way organization relies on while safeguarding essential institutional knowledge.

What you get

  • Confident, decision-ready supervisors and managers
  • Structured coaching and long-term mentorship
  • Core skills: planning, communication, and team development
  • Stronger safety culture and accountability
  • Institutional knowledge captured and retained
Case studies

22 capital projects across the NYC Transit and Metropolitan Transportation Authority network

Over the course of my career I have served as Project Executive Co-Lead, primary stakeholder, subject matter expert, advisor, and delivery partner on capital programs spanning fleet procurement, track and switch reconstruction, ADA accessibility, power substations, flood mitigation, facilities, and systemwide technology. The full record follows.

New Fleet & Technology

4
2022-2024

NYC Transit R211S New Technology Train Fleet Procurement

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Subject Matter Expert / Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S7070101

$258M
2024

NYC Transit New Fare Payment System (OMNY) Implementation

Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project 8040401

$81M
2022-2024

NYC Transit UHF T-Band Radio System Replacement

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S7070104

$45M
2020-2024

NYC Transit Security Technology Upgrades and Expansion

Project Executive Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project T8080610

$35M

Track & Switch Reconstruction

3
2010-2019

NYC Transit Mainline Track & Switch Replacement Capital Program (Subway and Elevated Roadway)

Project Senior Manager Co-Lead, Stakeholder, Subject Matter Expert / Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City, NYCapital Plans 2010-2014 & 2015-2019

$3B+
2019-2024

NYC Transit Staten Island Railway Phase 1 & Phase 2 Track and Switch Reconstruction

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Subject Matter Expert / Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Projects S7070103 ($49M, P1) & S8070109 ($52M, P2)

2019-2024

NYC Transit Reconfiguration of Clifton Yard Tracks and Switches

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Subject Matter Expert / Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S7070113

$17M

ADA Accessibility

3
2024

NYC Transit ADA Accessibility: Clifton Station

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S80701RR

$53M
2020-2022

NYC Transit ADA Accessibility: New Dorp Station

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S8070108

$35M
2023-2024

NYC Transit ADA Accessibility: Huguenot Station

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S8070107

$33M

Power & Substations

3
2019-2024

NYC Transit Construction of New Power Substation: Clifton

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S7070107

$31M
2019-2021

NYC Transit Construction of New Power Substation: Tottenville

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S7070105

$28M
2019-2024

NYC Transit Construction of New Power Substation: New Dorp

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S7070106

$25M

Facilities & Infrastructure

6
2019-2023

NYC Transit Clifton Maintenance Shop and Administration Facility

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project ES070302

$168M
2019-2024

NYC Transit Flood Mitigation System for St. George Terminal and Clifton Maintenance Facility

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project ES070303

$53M
2019-2024

NYC Transit Station Component Program

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S7070102

$19M
2023-2024

NYC Transit Relocation of SIR Headquarters to Clifton Shop

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Subject Matter Expert / Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S7070111

$10M
2019

NYC Transit Amboy Road Bridge Rehabilitation

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Subject Matter Expert / Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S7070110

$9M
2023-2024

NYC Transit Non-Revenue Production Equipment

Project Executive Co-Lead, Primary Stakeholder, Subject Matter Expert / Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NYCapital Project S8070105

$5M

Systemwide Programs & Transitions

3
2014-2015

NYC Transit Emergency Response Team Program

Project Manager, Subject Matter Expert / Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City, NY

2014-2015

NYC Transit New Technology Implementation

Project Manager, Stakeholder, Subject Matter Expert / Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York City, NY

2023-2024

NYC Transit Station Agent Transition Project

Stakeholder, Advisor, Delivery Partner

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Staten Island, NY

About the founder

Over three decades on the right-of-way

I have spent more than 34 years in rail transit, specializing in the construction, maintenance, inspection, and repair of track and roadway across the NYC Transit subway and elevated system, and the broader Metropolitan Transportation Authority rail network. I began as a track worker in 1992 and advanced through every level of the operation, from train operator to maintenance supervisor, superintendent, general superintendent, and ultimately Assistant Chief Officer, directing large multidisciplinary teams, managing complex infrastructure programs, and delivering capital projects within one of the nation's most demanding, high-volume transit environments.

Following my retirement from NYC Transit in 2024, I broadened my perspective through contract assignments across multiple sectors of the U.S. rail industry, earning new certifications, deepening my operational insight, and gaining hands-on exposure to track and maintenance practices nationwide across freight, regional, local, short line, light rail, rapid transit, commuter, and high-speed operations.

In 2025, I founded DKZ Consulting LLC to put that experience to work for others. I provide specialized short-term and long-term support to passenger and heavy-haul railroads, partnering with engineering, operations, and executive teams to advance project goals, ensure regulatory compliance, and elevate safety and risk-mitigation practices, grounded in decades of field experience and executive leadership.

I have a long record of directing large multidisciplinary teams, managing complex infrastructure programs, and delivering capital projects within one of the nation's most demanding, high-volume transit environments.

David Zurita, Founder & CEO
David Zurita · Founder & CEO

Certifications

12
  • OSHA 10
  • FEMA ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700
  • FEMA / USACE / NOAA National Hurricane Center HURREVAC System
  • Metropolitan Transportation Authority Emergency Response Officer
  • Metropolitan Transportation Authority Derailment Lead and Specialist
  • Metropolitan Transportation Authority Fire and Passenger Evacuation
  • Metropolitan Transportation Authority MDOT Worksite Coordinator
  • Metropolitan Transportation Authority MDOT Roadway Worker in Charge (RWIC)
  • Metropolitan Transportation Authority MDOT Roadway Worker
  • MBTA RWIC
  • MBTA Roadway Worker
  • NS RWIC

Memberships

A

AREMA

American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association

M

MRCNY

Metropolitan Railway Club of New York

N

NRCMA

National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association

Certified to perform right-of-way activities for

MTA

Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York

MBTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

MDOT

Maryland Transit Administration

Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern Railway

And it doesn't stop here, my journey is still progressing forward. I am actively advancing my credentials through targeted, high-value certifications that strengthen my strategic capabilities and broaden the impact I deliver to clients.

Work With Us

If your organization is planning capital work, strengthening its maintenance-of-way program, or developing the next generation of frontline leaders, I'd welcome a conversation. I take on both short-term and long-term engagements with passenger and heavy-haul railroads nationwide.

DKZ Consulting LLCEast Meadow, NYLinkedIn+1 (347) 597-2859