U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned New York officials that continued congestion tolling may result in the suspension of federal highway project approvals. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Sean Duffy officially becomes the 20th Secretary of USDOT following a decisive Senate vote of 77-22. His confirmation marks a pivotal moment in shaping national transportation policies and modernizing American infrastructure.
Sean Duffy Official Portrain

Sean Duffy Pressures New York on Tolling Policy

Sean Duffy issued a formal letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, setting a firm deadline of May 21 for the state to either terminate its toll program or prove its legality.

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He insisted the tolls violate federal law, which restricts charging drivers on roads built with federal funds unless explicitly exempted. Although a waiver was granted last year, Duffy rescinded it in February.

Failing compliance, he stated, would lead to a halt in highway construction authorizations and environmental assessments in Manhattan. He further hinted the restrictions could spread statewide, sparing only essential safety-related work.

The statement accompanying the letter intensified tensions. Duffy called the program “illegal,” accusing state officials of penalizing working-class drivers to close budget gaps in the MTA’s infrastructure plan.

“The federal government contributes billions, but we won’t support a program that unfairly burdens Americans,” he emphasized.

Sean Duffy Faces Pushback from State Officials

Governor Hochul promptly responded via a social media video, defending the toll system as both lawful and effective. She stressed improvements in business activity, traffic flow, and street safety since the program’s launch.

MTA CEO Janno Lieber confirmed the agency had received Duffy’s warning and was exploring legal responses. He emphasized that the tolling initiative remains in place and continues delivering tangible benefits, including cleaner air and a healthier economy.

This isn’t the first time Sean Duffy has clashed with the MTA. He previously demanded safety improvements and threatened funding cuts, even though recent data shows crime rates have declined.

As legal proceedings continue, the standoff underscores growing federal-state tensions surrounding transportation policy and urban planning.

Source: www.trains.com

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