The T has a new boss

MassDOT Highway Administrator and MassDOT Chief Operating Officer Frank DePaola will take over for outgoing MBTA GM Beverly Scott on an interim basis beginning March 4.

The MassDOT board voted unanimously in favor of the appointment Wednesday.

Scott announced she was leaving earlier this month as extreme weather wreaked havoc on the T’s antiquated system, causing cancellations and delays. At that time, Scott announced she was leaving her post in April.

On Wednesday DePaola said through a statement that he looks forward to helping get to the root cause of the problems the transit system faces.

“Once the issues are diagnosed, I look forward to helping implement a strategy to restore our system to full strength, and restoring our customers’ faith in our ability to provide safe, reliable, efficient transit service,” said DePaola, who formerly served as the T’s assistant general manager for design and construction.

Scott said she could not “think of a better, more qualified person to take the reins immediately and provide the necessary leadership to move our transit system in the right direction.”

“I can leave this job I’ve loved, knowing that MBTA customers as well as employees are in very capable hands and I look forward to working with Frank during the transition process,” she said through a statement.

MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack announced that Thomas Tinlin, MassDOT’s chief of highway operations and maintenance, will serve as acting highway administrator.