Politics
Congestion Pricing to Start Sunday, After Last-Minute Meeting With Judge
New Jersey had sued in an attempt to halt New York’s plan to charge motorists entering Manhattan’s busiest roadways.
New York’s plan to charge drivers to enter Manhattan’s busiest roadways remained on track Tuesday after lawyers met briefly with a federal judge who had considered New Jersey’s request to block the program.
The new $9 toll will be the nation’s first congestion-pricing fee and will start, as planned, on Sunday, according to New York officials.
Less than 24 hours before Tuesday’s abruptly scheduled video conference, the federal judge, Leo M. Gordon of U.S. District Court in New Jersey, had issued a ruling interpreted as a victory by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and by New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul. New York plans to use the revenue from congestion pricing to upgrade public transportation in New York City and the New York suburbs.
The State of New Jersey filed one of several lawsuits that seek to derail the tolling program. But on Monday, Judge Gordon did not order the M.T.A. to halt Sunday’s planned implementation of the program, even as he told federal transportation officials to address outstanding questions he identified about blunting the potential environmental impact to New Jersey residents.
New Jersey officials said they were encouraged by the judge’s request for action by federal transportation officials.
“No matter how they spin it, this isn’t the outcome New York was hoping for from the judge,” said Representative Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat who opposes congestion pricing and is running for governor.
