A political war on the Hudson erupted Monday over New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA's controversial $9 congestion toll.
Following a ruling by a federal judge in Newark, the MTA will now be able to begin charging the nation's first congestion tolls for entering Manhattan south of 60th Street starting Sunday, January 5th.
Judge Leo Gordon chose not to issue a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the toll, saying in a 72-page decision that environmental mitigation concerns on the Jersey side of the Hudson River need to be addressed. did.
“This decision does not preclude the implementation of the program scheduled for this coming Sunday, January 5th,” said MTA Chairman Jano Lieber.
Mr. Hochul welcomed the decision.
“Despite New Jersey’s best efforts to block New Jersey’s ability to reduce congestion on its city streets while making long-overdue investments in public transportation, courts have ruled that the state’s position won,” she said in an article on Monday. Night speech.
“This is a huge victory for commuters in both New York and New Jersey. Now that the judge has ruled, the plan can move forward this weekend with a 40% reduction in tolls originally proposed.” She added that the originally proposed fee was $15.
But the Garden State argued the ruling puts a brake on new toll increases.
“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 cannot,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
In summary, Mr. Gordon largely sided with the defendants, the MTA and the U.S. Department of Transportation, against the plaintiff, the state of New Jersey, regarding the extensive environmental assessment conducted regarding the effects of congestion pricing.
But the judge said the defendants erred by not providing sufficient detail about measures to reduce the environmental impact of diverted traffic in the Jersey area.
For example, congestion pricing provides specific funding to the Bronx. This includes $15 million to replace diesel-powered transport refrigeration equipment at the Hunts Point Produce Market, $20 million to fund asthma care centers, and $1,000 to add air filtration systems to schools near highways. Includes $1,000,000. .
No such mitigation measures have been provided to affected communities in New Jersey in terms of addressing pollution.
The judge explained why the defendants were able to “set exactly the amount that would be appropriated for relief in New York without providing a minimum amount for relief for potentially affected areas in New Jersey.” He said no.
“The court must conclude that the FHWA: [Federal Highway Administration] And the project sponsor acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner in reaching its mitigation decisions in the final EA,” Gordon said.
The judge ordered FHWA to take steps to comply with the mitigation ruling by January 17th.
Mr. Hochul originally proposed a $15 toll to enter Midtown south of 60th Street, but infamously waited until after the election to push through with a $9 commuter tax.
A federal judge in Manhattan also last week rejected a bid by plaintiffs, including the American Federation of Teachers and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fosella, to block the implementation of the fee.
Supporters, including Mr. Hochul, say the new toll revenue will help fund mass transit and control traffic, while opponents say it's a moneymaker for the spendthrift MTA.
One remaining fee challenge filed by Hempstead City Supervisor Don Clavin is pending in Brooklyn federal court.
