With just days left until the nation’s first congestion pricing begins in New York City, the plan may have passed its final hurdle with a ruling by a U.S. district court hearing an environmental lawsuit from New Jersey. The news agency reported that there is. M.T.A. But New Jersey lawyers say not so soon.
Although the judge ruled that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) opinion must be considered, the MTA told NBC New York that the judge’s doubts about the plan were not that high, and that the MTA must consider the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) opinion before deciding to set congestion pricing this weekend. I was told that I had been given the green light to start. level of injunction.
New York state’s congestion pricing law is scheduled to go into effect shortly after midnight on January 5th. Under the congestion pricing plan, motorists will pay a peak toll of $9 from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Off-peak offers a 75% discount, or $2.25.
The lawsuit from New Jersey was for tens of millions of dollars in response to predicted environmental damage from worsening traffic on the other side of the river.
The judge’s decision was made in a 72-page judgment issued Monday night.
“Judge Gordon concurs with the New York federal court on virtually every issue, calling for flaws in the environmental assessment approved 18 months ago,” MTA Chairman and CEO Jano Lieber said in a statement. “We are pleased to reject New Jersey’s claim that Most importantly, this decision does not prevent the implementation of the program scheduled for this Sunday, January 5th. ”
In the decision, the judge said, “The matter is remanded to FHWA until January 17, 2025, for FHWA to take action consistent with this opinion” for federal questioning.
Regardless of how the MTA reads this ruling, this is enough for New Jersey to delay the start of congestion pricing.
“We welcome the court’s decision today in the congestion pricing case. Because of the New Jersey case, the judge ordered a remand so the MTA can implement its current congestion pricing proposal on January 5, 2025. “We can’t do that,” said New Jersey attorney Randy Mastro.
Mastro said New Jersey remains “firmly opposed” to implementing congestion pricing.
In response to the New Jersey lawsuit, New York Governor Cathy Hochul said she had offered money to settle the case, but no agreement had been reached.
“We have made multiple offers to resolve this case, and they are very generous offers,” Hochul previously said.
After the ruling, Hochul said congestion pricing would begin as planned this weekend.
“Despite New Jersey’s best efforts to block New York City’s ability to alleviate road congestion while making long-overdue investments in public transportation, the courts have ruled against us on nearly every issue. This is a huge win for commuters in both New York and New Jersey,” the New York governor said in a statement.
The MTA expects the number of cars and trucks to decline by 10% after the toll begins.
MTA leaders have promised that billions of dollars raised through congestion pricing will be used to modernize systems across the region.
A week before the New Jersey ruling, a federal judge in New York rejected another lawsuit that sought to suspend the start of congestion pricing.
Following a lawsuit from the American Federation of Teachers, the New York State Trucking Association and Manhattan residents, Judge Louis Lehman issued a 111-page decision denying a request for a preliminary injunction in the case.
“Plaintiffs have failed to establish a likelihood of success on the merits of any of their claims,” the judge wrote in his conclusion.
