Industry experts bring decades of technical expertise in rail modernization

NEW YORK (Feb. 18, 2026) – Two key additions have joined HNTB’s transit and rail team in New York. Julien Deagostini has joined as senior project manager, and William Fitzgerald has joined as technical advisor, strengthening the firm’s capabilities in planning, delivering and integrating communications-based train control (CBTC) for major rail operators.

Deagostini brings nearly three decades of complex systems work across global programs and recent leadership supporting MTA’s interoperable CBTC initiative. Fitzgerald adds deep, hands-on New York City Transit Rail Control Center experience, including implementation and operational integration of multiple CBTC and automatic train supervision (ATS) platforms.

“Welcoming Julien and Bill reflects our continued investment in the New York region and our transit and rail practice,” said Michael Mangione, HNTB’s New York office leader and senior vice president.

“Their industry leading expertise will support our clients in their effort to manage migration and system upgrades with confidence, all while delivering safe, reliable rail service.”

As senior project manager, Deagostini will lead interdisciplinary teams supporting CBTC programs from early strategy and specifications through testing, commissioning and operational transition. He is recognized internationally for his CBTC expertise, with a background spanning aerospace, rail systems integration and independent certification. In recent years, he served as a CBTC project director supporting MTA Construction & Development on interoperable CBTC efforts across multiple lines, including integration of wayside systems, carborne systems and automatic train supervision.

“I am excited to join HNTB and help agencies deliver their CBTC programs,” said Deagostini. “My focus is to align supplier capabilities with the operational realities of each railroad, so clients gain capacity, resiliency and maintainability from day one.”

As technical advisor, Fitzgerald brings extensive control center, systems and operations knowledge from his nearly 40-year tenure at MTA New York City Transit. His experience includes implementation of various CBTC ATS systems with MTA NYCT, along with coordination of contractors, vendors and agency stakeholders across power, communications and computer systems that underpin revenue service delivery.

“From the control center, you see exactly how system performance affects riders, crews and the riding public,” said Fitzgerald. “At HNTB, I look forward to pairing that operational perspective with strong engineering to help clients commission systems that perform predictably, simplify incident response and improve uptime.”

HNTB supports MTA’s CBTC program through systems integration and migration planning on multiple subway lines. The firm also provides program management and technical services to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s PATH system.