New Jersey Seeks Injunction to Halt New York’s Congestion Pricing Plan Before Sunday Launch
NEW YORK — The future of New York’s congestion pricing plan, set to begin Sunday in Midtown and Lower Manhattan, is uncertain as New Jersey has filed a last-minute injunction to delay its implementation.
Attorneys representing New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s administration submitted the motion, seeking to pause the tolling system until federal regulators respond to a recent court order.
Earlier this week, federal judge Leo Gordon issued a partial remand of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) approval of the plan, prompting both sides to claim a partial victory.
Judge Gordon’s ruling directed the FHWA to address why New York’s congestion pricing plan includes specific pollution mitigation measures for the Bronx but fails to offer similar plans for several New Jersey towns, which are also expected to experience increased traffic and pollution after the tolling begins.
New Jersey’s legal team argues that congestion pricing should not proceed until these deficiencies are resolved. “New Jersey respectfully requests that the Court clarify that its remand also necessarily vacated the final [federal approvals] pending these further proceedings,” attorneys wrote.
The MTA plans to activate the tolling system on January 5, but New Jersey contends this would cause “irreparable harm” by worsening air quality and increasing traffic in the state.
The Murphy administration claims the MTA’s environmental assessment acknowledges potential rises in truck traffic and pollution in New Jersey, the Bronx, upper Manhattan, and Brooklyn, despite predicting an overall regional traffic reduction.
While the MTA has promised funding for pollution mitigation, including an asthma center in the Bronx and electric truck charging hubs, it has not detailed any specific plans for New Jersey.
Additionally, Judge Gordon instructed the FHWA to address why a phased implementation of the toll at a lower initial rate does not require further environmental analysis and to reevaluate alternative proposals.
A hearing on New Jersey’s injunction request is scheduled for Friday afternoon in Newark federal court, just two days before the congestion pricing plan is set to take effect.
