U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has outlined potential actions the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) may take if New York Governor Kathy Hochul continues to enforce what has been described as an illegal toll on motorists. According to Duffy, possible measures include withholding FHWA funds for projects in New York, except those related to safety.
"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," stated Duffy, signaling the federal government's stance on the matter.
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has been given 30 days to demonstrate compliance with federal regulations or face restrictions on project authorizations and approvals. This includes halting advance construction authorizations and NEPA approvals within Manhattan, except for safety-related projects. Continued non-compliance may extend these measures to other parts of New York State.
The Secretary's letter criticized the toll, claiming it unfairly targets working-class drivers. Duffy noted the lack of toll-free alternatives and emphasized that the Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) was not designed to support the state's transit budget.
Duffy highlighted that the U.S. Department of Transportation had canceled a previous agreement permitting the toll, leaving the state with no legal basis to continue its implementation.
The Federal-aid highway system, traditionally toll-free, has only limited exceptions sanctioned by Congress, emphasizing that FHWA funds should not support tolls on federally funded highways.
