Hoboken mayor considers lawsuit against Turnpike expansion

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (PIX11) -- The Mayor of Hoboken tells PIX11 News he is "actively considering" filing a civil rights lawsuit to try to stop the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's proposed expansion of the Turnpike and rebuild of the Newark Bay Bridge.

Ravi Bhalla said the Jersey City Mayor is also toying with the idea of legal action after the U.S. Coast Guard determined last week there would be no significant environmental impacts" from the first phase of the project.

The Coast Guard's decision follows a January 2025 Trump administration order revoking environmental justice protections for minority and low-income communities.

Bhalla, who is running for the New Jersey Assembly, said, "The Trump administration has said we cannot take into account environmental justice and the impact that has on black and brown communities. How is that fair? That is institutional racism written within the law that is impacting people in real time."

Bhalla attended a "Rage Against the Turnpike" rally in Jersey City Wednesday night.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has said the project is necessary to replace the aging Newark Bay Bridge and will not cause more pollution or congestion.