Overview
- Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster issued an Oct. 16 cease-and-desist letter, warning he could withhold approvals, restrict obligations of funds, or limit transfers if implementation proceeds.
- New York City’s Department of Transportation confirmed a pause and said it will engage with federal officials, maintaining the redesign complies with federal laws and preserves truck and emergency access on every block.
- FHWA cited insufficient coordination among NYCDOT, NYSDOT, and the regional planning council, along with questions about large commercial deliveries and emergency response on the corridor.
- The agency said a Sept. 8 request for project information went unanswered, prompting the escalation to a formal stop-work directive and a required meeting.
- The busway is a key element of the City Council–approved Midtown South rezoning and involves no direct federal construction funding, though federal oversight applies because 34th Street is listed on the National Highway System.