Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Mar 18: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for withholding nearly $60 million in funding for a major New York City subway expansion project.

The breach of contract case, filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, relates to the $7.7 billion Second Avenue Subway project. The dispute is part of a broader legal battle over the US Department of Transportation’s decision to suspend funding for several infrastructure projects during a government shutdown last year.

The White House declined to comment, while the US Department of Transportation said it is reviewing legal options and emphasised responsible use of taxpayer funds.

The project had previously received $3.4 billion in funding under the Biden administration. It aims to ease commutes for over 100,000 daily riders by extending the Q subway line by 1.76 miles into East Harlem and Harlem, along with adding three new stations. The Second Avenue line has been in planning since the 1920s.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticised the funding suspension, alleging that it has put the project at risk. The lawsuit claims that Donald Trump halted payments to exert political pressure on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The filing also noted that during the shutdown, $1.2 billion meant for a Chicago transit project was similarly paused.

In a related development, a federal appeals court recently ordered the administration to continue funding the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Project after payments were halted. The project aims to construct a new rail tunnel between Manhattan and New Jersey and repair an existing tunnel damaged during the Hurricane Sandy.