New Jersey is suing the federal government to halt a congestion pricing program that will charge drivers to enter Midtown Manhattan, citing concerns that the tolling program will place unfair financial and environmental burdens on the state’s residents.
In its complaint, filed on Friday in U.S. District Court in New Jersey, the state said it was challenging the Federal Highway Administration’s “decision to rubber-stamp” its approval of congestion pricing last month, which was the program’s final federal hurdle.
The authority said the program, which aims to reduce traffic in New York City while raising billions of dollars for mass transit, could begin as soon as spring 2024.
The lawsuit comes two days after a local panel appointed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority convened for the first time to decide on toll rates.
At that meeting, dozens of drivers, which included suburbanites, protested against the tolls.
Persons:
suburbanites
Organizations:
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Locations:
New Jersey, Midtown Manhattan, New York City