Autos passing under traffic monitoring points on the West Side Highway These are used ill be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Congestion Relief Zone.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said on Wednesday that the Federal Highway Administration has “terminated approval” of New York City’s congestion pricing plan, which went into effect on January 5 of this year.
The program is the first of its kind in the United States.
The DOT shared a letter from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, in which he said that President Trump “had expressed concern” about the extent of tolling on highways constructed with Federal aid as well as the “significant [financial] burdens” placed on commuters who drive in not only from other parts of the city but from New Jersey and Connecticut.
Duffy went on to say that a review found that the “scope of this pilot project as approved exceeds the authority authorized by Congress” under the Federal Highway Administration’s Value Pricing Pilot Program.
Both Governor Hochul and the head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Janno Lieber, which manages the city’s subways as well as bridges and commuter rails, said it is challenging the reversal in federal court.
Hochul also confirmed that the MTA has initiated legal proceedings in the Southern District of New York “to preserve this critical program.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump declared himself “king” as he celebrated his administration’s bid to end the program.
“We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king,” Hochul said in a statement. “We’ll see you in court.”
Photo: Accura Media Group)
