It’s full speed ahead for the plan to create new congestion pricing tolls for New York City south of 60th Street after the Federal Highway Administration gave its final approval this week.
Congestion pricing is designed to reduce traffic and air pollution in the city while raising new funds for Metropolitan Transportation Authority subways and buses, with a proposed toll of up to $23 for drivers entering below 60th Street.
Public transit advocates have pushed for decades for such a plan to be implemented. But New Jersey leaders have staunchly opposed congestion pricing, arguing it puts an unfair cost burden on New Jersey drivers while also shifting more air pollution and traffic to the New Jersey side of the Hudson River.
Gov. Phil Murphy has hired former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Craig Carpenito and Randy Mastro — whom former Gov. Chris Christie hired to produce an internal administration report on the Bridgegate scandal — to explore the state’s legal options for fighting congestion pricing.
