Load WordPress Sites in as fast as 37ms!

Sean Duffy extends deadline for NY Gov Hochul to end congestion pricing tolls

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Monday warned New York Gov. Kathy Hochul that the state “risks serious consequences” should it fail to end its congestion pricing toll by May 21, according to a letter obtained by Fox News.

In the letter, Duffy gave New York another month to shut down or explain why the state is not breaking the law with the $9 fee for most vehicles entering Manhattan’s core south of Central Park. Should the state fail to do so, Duffy said it risks losing federal funding and approvals for certain projects from the Federal Highway Administration.

“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,” Duffy said in a statement after issuing the letter. “We are giving New York one last chance to turn back or prove their actions are not illegal.”

Duffy initially gave New York until March 21 to stop charging the toll. When the state’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority challenged Duffy’s decision in federal court, Duffy extended the deadline an extra month to April 20.

CONSERVATIVE GROUP CALLS FOR HALT TO FEDERAL FUNDING OF CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL

Sean Duffy, US secretary of transportation, during a swearing-in ceremony in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Duffy tackled his first road rules challenge within hours of taking the helm of the Transportation Department, ordering a rewrite Tuesday night of stringent federal fuel economy rules for cars that were enacted by former President Joe Biden. Photographer: Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said New York risks losing federal funding and approvals for certain projects from the Federal Highway Administration if the state’s congestion pricing tolls are not stopped. (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg, File / Getty Images)

Proponents of the congestive pricing tolls say the program aims to curb Manhattan’s notorious gridlock. 

street sign in NYC alerting drivers of toll

A street sign on 11th Avenue in New York City alerts drivers that the start of the Congestion Relief Zone is south of 61st Street. (Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)

BLUE STATE WORKERS RALLY AROUND TOP TRUMP OFFICIAL TARGETING CONGESTION PRICING: ‘BORDERLINE STEALING’

The toll varies depending on the type of vehicle and time of day, with most passenger cars paying $9 to enter Manhattan south of Central Park during peak weekday and weekend times.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has previously said she will fight to keep the congestion pricing toll program. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

President Donald Trump, a native New Yorker, has vowed to end the toll program. Hochul, who previously met with Trump to discuss the program, has said she will fight to keep it.

Fox News Digital’s CB Cotton, Alexandra Koch and Cameron Arcand contributed to this report.

Check Also

Pope Francis’ views on business during his tenure leading the Catholic Church

Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade joins Fox & Friends First to discuss VP JD …

The Ultimate Managed Hosting Platform
If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.