SIX New Jersey residents are suing "bridgegate" Governor Chris Christie over claims staff in his office created gridlock on to a major bridge as part of a political vendetta.

The traffic mayhem on the George Washington Bridge was allegedly instigated in revenge against a mayor who declined to endorse Christie's re-election bid.

Lawyer Rosemarie Arnold said her clients were late for work and one had a panic attack after two lanes of the bridge were shut for several days from September 9 last year, allegedly at the request of Christie's top aide, Bridget Anne Kelly.