New York’s controversial congestion pricing program seems to be able to move forward toward it slated Jan. 5 implementation date after a federal judge in New Jersey ruled in the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) favor.
But officials in New Jersey say the judge’s ruling calls for further study before implementation can take place. The state’s suit had argued that federal officials allowed New York to move forward with its plan without addressing how the tolls might shift traffic and pollution to other areas of the region as motorists try to avoid the tolls.
The congestion pricing plan calls for a drivers to pay a toll when entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Midtown and Lower Manhattan. Officials said they believe the toll will result in at least 80,000 fewer vehicles entering the zone every day.
In his opinion filed Monday evening, Judge Leo Gordon did not explicitly block the pricing plan, but did call for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration to explain why the plan it approved outlined pollution mitigations for the Bronx, but fails to outline similar plans for towns in New Jersey. Gordon set a Jan. 17 deadline for FHWA to answer his questions.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said the ruling was a victory.
“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,” he said, in a statement. “Most important, the decision does not interfere with the program’s scheduled implementation this coming Sunday, Jan. 5.”
But attorneys representing New Jersey said the ruling meant the toll would be delayed.
But Randy Mastro, the attorney representing the Murphy administration in its quest to end the toll, also claimed victory Monday night.
“The judge has ordered a remand, and the MTA therefore cannot proceed with implementing the current congestion pricing proposal on Jan. 5, 2025,” Randy Mastro, the attorney representing New Jersey said in a statement.
Environmental advocates for the plan also called the ruling a victory.
“The congestion pricing program is designed to reduce traffic and provide cleaner, healthier air for millions of people in New York and New Jersey, and to fund public transportation improvements essential to the region’s future,” Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund, said. “We’re happy to see that today’s court decision recognizes that, and that the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority has announced this vital program will begin without delay
EDF along with other advocacy groups like the New York League of Conservation Voters, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Riders Alliance, Open Plans, Real Estate Board of New York, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, We Act for Environmental Justice, Streetspac, Transportation Alternatives, and New York Public Interest Research Group Fund filed an amicus brief in the case supporting the plan. A group of New Jersey health, faith, transportation and environmental groups also filed an amicus brief in support of the plan.