MTA halts construction projects in an effort, critics say, to ‘scare New Yorkers’ and pressure Hochul after removing congestion tolls

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority halted construction projects at two Queens train stations to pressure Gov. Kathy Hochul after she reversed the unpopular congestion pricing plan, sources said.

The MTA has sent a letter ordering a contractor to immediately suspend work to make its Long Island Rail stations in Forest Hills and Hollis more accessible to passengers with disabilities. – a move that some see as an incentive for Hochul to reinstate convention rates or find another source of revenue for his capital spending program.

“You are hereby directed to stop all work associated with the Forest Hills and Hollis stations,” Steven Leidner, CEO of MTA Capital Construction, said in a June 17 letter to the head of Forte Construction, obtained by The Post.

The MTA planned to generate $1 billion in revenue annually from congestion pricing to help fund $15 billion in system repairs, maintenance and expansion.

The controversial $15 “congestion charge” imposed on drivers to enter Midtown south of 60th Street was scheduled to take effect June 30. – but Hochul suspended the program before it took effect, expressing concerns about the economic impact in post-COVID New York.

Forte, the construction company, was not happy about having to stop work on LIRR projects to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

“It is understood that the stop work order is the result of a lack of funding due to the pause in congestion pricing,” said Forte spokesperson Tom Butler.

“This decision not only delays needed improvements to the station, but also puts at risk the many construction jobs that depend on this project.”

But opponents said the fact that the MTA slowed the projects shows the congestion toll was a money grab and was never intended to reduce congestion.

“The MTA is an entity that answers to no one. Transportation officials think they run their own fiefdom,” said Kathryn Freed, a retired Lower East Side judge and city councilor and co-founder of Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free.

Freed, a plaintiff in one of several lawsuits challenging congestion pricing, said the MTA’s problem is its spending spree and that transportation officials should stop blaming others for its financial problems.

The authority is under constant scrutiny due to billions of dollars in cost overruns related to building new subway lines. – and for losing $700 million a year due to price gouging.

“Why are so many of the world’s public transportation systems working better? Why isn’t the MTA more efficient? »

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, an opponent of the congestion charge, said, “This is a time to reflect. Are there ways to reduce costs on capital projects instead of thinking you’ll get a blank check? »

Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) said the MTA should end the “game.”

Noting that Hochul appointed MTA CEO Janno Lieber, Borelli said, “The governor should tell them to do what they’re told.” »

MTA officials are expected to present the capital program “cuts” at meetings this week, saying they can’t move forward on the projects without additional funds.

Jamie Torres-Springer, MTA president of construction and development, said last week that “we have stopped work on the Second Avenue Subway (expansion).”

Phase two of the $7.7 billion Second Avenue subway section would add three new stations – extending the Q line to East Harlem and connecting Metro-North and the No. 4, 5 and 6.

“There are a lot of projects we won’t be able to build,” Torres-Springer said, emphasizing that the agency will focus on the basics of keeping the current system in “good shape” rather than expanding it.

“We have, in a few cases, issued stop work orders for projects that did not strictly meet the ‘good repair’ requirements.

“There will be implications across the whole capital programme,” he said.

Transportation sources said the MTA’s decision to outline cuts – before Hochul and the legislature had a chance to reach agreement on alternative funding for the agency or identify savings in the agency – amounted to mutiny.

“Governor Hochul has repeatedly stated that she is committed to funding the MTA and is working with government partners on funding mechanisms while congestion pricing is suspended,” the spokesperson said of Hochul, Anthony Hogrebe.

Another Albany insider suggested the MTA should end the hysteria.

“The MTA knows there is no way the Governor and Legislature will not provide funding for their capital plan. And most of these projects will take years to get underway, let alone complete,” the source said.

“They are just playing games and trying to scare New Yorkers into pushing for congestion pricing rather than coming up with alternative ideas and finding ways to save money. ‘money.”

Transit advocates sided with the MTA, saying it was Hochul who created the mess by “suspending” congestion pricing.

“This is a fabricated crisis that we didn’t need,” said Lisa Daglian, head of the MTA’s Permanent Citizens Advisory Council.

She said “public safety must be job No. 1” with a clean construction program.