U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy to Gov. Hochul: Here’s what continuing your illegal toll could cost you

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today outlined the specific actions the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) could take if New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s continues the state’s illegal toll on working families. This includes halting FHWA-backed projects and funding, with the exception of safety-related initiatives.

“President Trump and I will not sit back while Governor Hochul engages in class warfare and prices working-class Americans out of accessing New York City,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “The federal government sends billions to New York—but we won’t foot the bill if Governor Hochul continues to implement an illegal toll to backfill the budget of New York’s failing transit system. We are giving New York one last chance to turn back or prove their actions are not illegal.”

As noted in the letter, the New York State Department of (NYSDOT) has thirty days to state how their non-compliance is not illegal. If the unlawful tolls are not stopped, or after evaluating NYSDOT’s response, FHWA determines that New York remains out of compliance, the agency will take the following actions:

• No further advance construction (“AC”) authorizations for projects within the borough of Manhattan, except for projects determined by FHWA to be essential for safety

• No further NEPA approvals for projects within the borough of Manhattan, except for safety projects.

• No further approvals of Statewide Transportation Improvement Program amendments concerning New York Metropolitan Transportation Council TIP modifications.

If non-compliance continues, additional measures may include:

• No further obligations of FHWA funds (both formula and competitive) for projects within New York City, except for safety projects.

• No further AC authorizations for projects within New York City, except for safety projects.

• No further NEPA approvals for projects within New York City, except for safety projects.

The corrective measures noted above may be expanded to other geographic areas within the State of New York if noncompliance continues.