The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has directed the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) to pause all work on the planned 34th Street busway, citing unresolved concerns over access for trucks, commercial deliveries, and emergency responders along one of Manhattan’s most critical east–west corridors.
The request — confirmed today by FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster — marks the second formal notice sent to NYCDOT questioning whether the project meets National Highway System (NHS) standards and federal accessibility mandates.
“I’m glad to see New York officials have agreed to halt the project and come to the table to discuss the project’s impact on the flow of traffic through one of the city’s most important corridors,” McMaster said. “Ensuring our great truckers and emergency vehicles can safely access this important corridor with as few aversions as possible is top priority.”
FHWA is now convening a joint meeting between NYCDOT and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to determine how the project can be brought into full federal compliance before any additional construction proceeds.
Federal Officials Flag Traffic Diversion, Commerce Implications
In a letter first issued in September, FHWA warned that the current 34th Street design could violate federal statutes governing commerce, freight routing, and metropolitan planning. Among the agency’s requests for clarification:
- Whether the redesigned corridor would continue to satisfy National Highway System requirements for interstate and interregional travel under 23 U.S.C. 103(b)
- Whether the busway can accommodate commercial delivery vehicles within the dimensional allowances guaranteed under 23 CFR Part 658
- Whether a full traffic impact analysis was completed — including diversion modeling — and properly coordinated with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC)
Federal regulations explicitly prohibit states from restricting access to the National Network for trucks within one road-mile “except for specific safety reasons,” according to 23 CFR 658.19(d).
A Rare Federal Intervention in NYC Street Design
This type of intervention from FHWA into New York City surface-street planning has been historically uncommon, suggesting that federal officials are signaling heightened scrutiny around urban traffic management policies that impact interstate commerce and emergency services.
NYCDOT has not yet issued a public response, but has reportedly agreed to pause implementation pending the upcoming interagency review.
Find the full notice HERE.
