The nation's first congestion toll is set to roll out in New York City this Sunday, despite opposition from New Jersey and ongoing legal challenges, marking a historic moment in urban traffic management, NBC 4 New York reported.
The MTA confirmed Tuesday that New York City's congestion pricing plan will launch just after midnight on Jan. 5, despite strong objections and legal maneuvers by New Jersey.
The toll system, which aims to reduce traffic and fund public transit improvements, will impose a peak fee of $9 for vehicles entering Manhattan's central business district on weekdays between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. and during similar weekend hours. Off-peak rates will be discounted by 75%, to $2.25.
New Jersey officials, however, continue to challenge the plan.
New Jersey attorney Randy Mastro stated that the program "cannot proceed" following a recent ruling by a U.S. district judge. The lawsuit contends that the plan could cause significant environmental harm by increasing traffic across the river and seeks tens of millions of dollars in damages.
On Monday, Judge Leo M. Gordon issued a 72-page decision requiring the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to review certain aspects of the plan by Jan. 17, 2025. Despite this directive, the judge did not grant an injunction to halt the program.
"We're gratified that on virtually every issue, Judge Gordon agreed with the New York federal court and rejected New Jersey's claim that the Environmental Assessment approved 18 months ago was deficient," MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in a statement. "Most important, the decision does not interfere with the program's scheduled implementation this coming Sunday."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul echoed the MTA's stance, celebrating the decision as a win for commuters.
"Despite the best efforts of the State of New Jersey trying to thwart New York's ability to reduce congestion on our streets while making long-overdue investments in public transit, our position has prevailed in court on nearly every issue," Hochul said.
Meanwhile, Mastro emphasized New Jersey's continued opposition. "Because of New Jersey's litigation, the judge has ordered a remand, and the MTA, therefore, cannot proceed with implementing the current congestion pricing proposal on Jan. 5, 2025," he said.
The legal dispute is just the latest chapter in the lead-up to congestion pricing. Last week, a federal judge in New York dismissed a separate lawsuit aimed at delaying the program. In that case, Judge Lewis Liman ruled that the plaintiffs, including the United Federation of Teachers and the Trucking Association of New York, failed to prove their claims.
The MTA has projected that congestion pricing will reduce vehicular traffic by 10% and generate billions of dollars to modernize the region's transit systems.
Despite New Jersey's continued objections, implementing congestion pricing this weekend marks a pivotal step in reshaping urban traffic policy and addressing the environmental and infrastructural challenges facing New York City.