Midtown’s 34th Street busway project paused over federal funding cut threat

The city has halted work on Midtown Manhattan’s 34th Street busway project after the federal government threatened to restrict funding and approvals over concerns about truck access, emergency vehicle routes, and compliance with national highway regulations.

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.

“The vast majority of commuters in Midtown are traveling by transit and they deserve world-class, fast, and reliable buses,” NYC DOT spokesperson Vincent Barone said. "The redesign for 34th Street mirrors other street designs from across the city and allows