A judge in New Jersey late Friday denied an attempt from officials in the state to delay the start of congestion pricing.

New Jersey lawyers were seeking a temporary restraining order, arguing the tolling plan would cause irreparable harm by increasing traffic and pollution in the state.

The MTA argues it would only have a minor impact on New Jersey communities.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said the "time for debating and lawsuits is over" at a news conference immediately following the judge’s decision.

"I am proud that New York is going to implement a strategy that’s been successful in other great world cities that have struggled with traffic like London, Stockholm, Singapore," Lieber said.

"We’re protecting the interests of New Yorkers from a health standpoint, cutting down on car crashes that injure pedestrians and cyclists, and also using the money that’s generated to benefit the 90% of New Yorkers who do take transit," he added.

In a statement, Riders Alliance Executive Director Betsy Plum praised the judge’s decision and said congestion pricing will "improve commutes" for residents.

"This transformative policy, which subway and bus riders won over a decade of campaigning, will upgrade public transit while cutting gridlock and toxic air pollution across the entire region,” her statement reads, in part. “We're grateful to New York and federal officials who worked tirelessly for years on an exhaustive environmental review and to Judge Leo Gordon for his meticulous application of the law.”

Meanwhile, Attorney for the State of New Jersey Randy Mastro said the state “respectfully” disagrees with the judge’s decision.

In his statement, Mastro said that the judge “found that the Federal Highway Administration acted arbitrarily and capriciously in approving the MTA’s plan and that insufficient environment migration commitments were made to New Jersey.”

He added that the state will seek “emergency relief from the Third Circuit of Appeals.”

On Saturday, the Third Circuit declined to hear the appeal on an emergency or expedited basis, according to a source close to the case, who said if an appeal continues, it can follow the normal briefing schedule and process.

Check out our guide for everything to know about the program, including toll costs and exemptions.