New York officials say the congestion pricing plan can move forward even though New Jersey has a different interpretation of a federal ruling in a lawsuit it filed.
The ruling came down Monday in a more than 70-page opinion, which calls for more paperwork to be submitted, but the MTA said the cameras for congestion pricing will turn on Sunday as planned.
"We're gratified that on virtually every issue, Judge [Leo] Gordon agreed with the New York federal court and rejected New Jersey's claim that the Environmental Assessment approved 18 months ago was deficient," MTA Chair Janno Lieber wrote in a statement. "Most important, the decision does not interfere with the program's scheduled implementation this coming Sunday, January 5."
In response, Gov. Kathy Hochul also said the program will move forward.
"Despite the best efforts of the State of New Jersey trying to thwart New York's ability to reduce congestion on our streets while making long-overdue investments in public transit, our position has prevailed in court on nearly every issue," she wrote in a statement.
"This is a massive win for commuters in both New York and New Jersey. Now that the judge has issued his ruling, the program will move forward this weekend," she said.
Congestion pricing is a policy in which drivers who enter local streets and avenues south of and including 60th Street in Manhattan will be charged a fee of $9.
New Jersey officials argue that cameras for congestion pricing cannot turn on this weekend.
"We welcome the court's ruling today in the congestion pricing lawsuit. Because of New Jersey's litigation, the judge has ordered a remand, and the MTA therefore cannot proceed with implementing the current congestion pricing proposal on January 5, 2025," Randy Mastro, attorney for the state of New Jersey, wrote in a statement.
New Jersey has argued that the plan adversely impacts its residents who drive into Manhattan for work. Meanwhile, New York has argued the plan is necessary to reduce congestion within the Central Business District.