After a federal lawsuit introduced by his administration didn’t cease New York’s congestion pricing plan, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is interesting to a different energy: President Trump.
“As you begin your second term as president, I welcome any opportunity to work with you and your administration where we can find common ground,” the Backyard State Democrat wrote in an open letter to Trump on Inauguration Day. “One area where I believe our priorities align is congestion pricing.”
New York’s congestion pricing plan, which tolls drivers on Manhattan’s floor streets at sixtieth and under, has been in impact since Jan. 5 — following a yearslong environmental examine accredited by the federal authorities and a number of authorized challenges introduced by the Murphy administration and others.
Trump, a former New York resident, has been an outspoken opponent of the plan.
In Could, the as soon as and future president stated on social media that he would “TERMINATE” the toll throughout his first week in workplace — underscoring the pledge with a number of exclamation factors.
A congestion pricing signal alongside Columbus Ave. close to W. 61st St. in Manhattan. (Barry Williams / New York Every day Information)
Trump referred to as the toll a “business killer” and claimed that the plan — which was required by a 2019 New York state legislation — was rushed and “railroaded” into impact by the administration of former President Joe Biden.
Murphy reminded Trump of that publish Monday.
“I know we share significant concerns about these developments,” Murphy wrote.
The Backyard State governor reiterated two arguments made in his administration’s lawsuit — regardless of these issues being addressed by New York.
“The [current] congestion pricing plan is a disaster for working- and middle-class New Jersey commuters and residents who need or want to visit lower Manhattan and now need to pay a big fee on top of the bridge and tunnel tolls they already pay,” Murphy wrote.
“And adding insult to injury,” he continued, “New Jersey communities are not being fully compensated for the additional traffic and attendant pollution that will be re-routed to them because of congestion pricing.”
The congestion pricing toll as at the moment carried out give the biggest so-called “crossing credit” to New Jersey commuters. Those that enter town through the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels obtain a $3 credit score to offset the toll, whereas those that enter through the Brooklyn-Battery or Queens-Midtown tunnels obtain a smaller $1.50 credit score.
Attorneys for the MTA have additionally stated in court docket that $9.8 million has been earmarked for New Jersey communities for air pollution mitigation resulting from altering site visitors patterns.
A federal decide in Newark knocked down New Jersey’s effort to pause the plan earlier this month, ruling {that a} 4,000-page environmental evaluation of the plan was enough to proceed, and the feds had been inside their proper to approve it.
Attorneys for New Jersey have vowed to enchantment the ruling.
Congestion pricing cameras are pictured on Central Park West at Columbus Circle Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams / New York Every day Information)
The congestion pricing plan tolls nearly all of drivers $9 as soon as a day to drive on floor streets in Midtown and decrease Manhattan, with reductions for individuals who enter through the already-tolled tunnel crossings into the zone.
The toll is supposed to cut back total vehicular congestion inside the tolling zone, in addition to to generate sufficient income to again $15 billion in bonds for MTA development and restore initiatives.
Initially Printed: January 21, 2025 at 11:24 AM EST
