![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/nyc-dot-busway.jpg\" "\\"Midtown's")
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The current configuration of 34th Street in Manhattan. <\/p>\n
NYC DOT<\/p>\n
The city has halted work on Midtown Manhattan\u2019s 34th Street busway project<\/a> after the federal government threatened to restrict funding and approvals over concerns about truck access, emergency vehicle routes, and compliance with national highway regulations.<\/p>\n City officials confirmed Friday that the project is paused while they work with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to resolve the matter. The NYC Department of Transportation said it is confident that the design complies with all applicable federal laws and regulations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe vast majority of commuters in Midtown are traveling by transit and they deserve world-class, fast, and reliable buses,\u201d NYC DOT spokesperson Vincent Barone said. \u201cThe redesign for 34th Street mirrors other street designs from across the city and allows for truck, private, and emergency vehicle access on every block.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will work with the federal government to advance this critical project,\u201d he added.\n<\/p>\n The 34th Street corridor, which runs across Midtown Manhattan, is part of the National Highway System, making federal oversight a key factor in any redesign that affects traffic and commerce.\n<\/p>\n FHWA had sent city and state transportation officials formal letters on Sept. 8<\/a> and again on Oct. 16<\/a> detailing its concerns, including whether the busway would allow safe commercial vehicle deliveries and meet metropolitan planning requirements.<\/p>\n In Thursday\u2019s letter, Sean McMaster of the USDOT\u2019s Federal Highway Administration demanded NYCDOT \u201ccease and desist all activities to implement the 34th Street busway project immediately\u201d until a sit-down meeting about the busway is held. He said he had not received a response from the city to his Sept. 8 letter.<\/p>\n \u201cIf NYCDOT and NYSDOT refuse to meet on this project and continue to proceed in a manner that is not compliant with Federal law, I will implement appropriate remedial actions,\u201d he warned. \u201cThese actions could entail withholding project authorizations and approvals, restricting the obligation of funding, limiting transfers, or other actions deemed necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n On Friday, he welcomed the pause, saying New York officials had agreed to meet to discuss the project\u2019s impact on the flow of traffic \u201cthrough one of the city\u2019s most important corridors on our National Highway System.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEnsuring our great truckers and emergency vehicles can safely access this important corridor with as few aversions as possible is top priority,\u201d he said in a statement.\n<\/p>\n The city first proposed converting a stretch of 34th Street into a dedicated busway on May 20, aiming to increase bus speeds by as much as 15% for thousands of riders daily. Unlike a bus lane, which runs alongside regular traffic, a busway restricts private traffic while allowing buses, certain trucks, and emergency vehicles.<\/p>\n The project previously hit a speed bump<\/a> over the summer, being temporarily halted before it was once again greenlit<\/a> as part of an agreement made on Aug. 6 to rezone a chunk of Midtown.<\/p>\n