June 26 (Reuters) - A New York City plan to charge a daily toll on vehicles entering or remaining in the central business district got a boost on Monday from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which said the city had adequately assessed how the congestion charge would help the environment.
Menendez has introduced legislation that would cut 50% of federal highway grant funding to New York state if the plan goes ahead.
In May, USDOT approved release of the final environmental assessment for New York's congestion pricing plan for public review.
Following entry into a tolling agreement, tolling could begin up to 310 days later, the city said in May.
New York City, which has the most congested traffic of any U.S. city, would become the first major city in the U.S. to follow London, which implemented a similar charge in 2003.
Persons:
Bob Menendez, Josh Gottheimer, Bill Pascrell, Menendez, USDOT, Donald Trump, David Shepardson, Mark Porter, Matthew Lewis
Organizations:
U.S . Department of Transportation, Administration, Democratic, York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, . New, Thomson
Locations:
York City, U.S, New Jersey, New York, Midtown Manhattan, . New York City, London, ., . New York, Manhattan, Washington