The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has given its approval to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) proposal for creating toll zones south of 60th Street in Manhattan, marking a significant step toward implementing the nation's first congestion pricing system. The decision allows the project to advance to a final, 30-day public review phase that is expected to result in full federal approval.
As part of this plan, drivers entering central Manhattan during peak hours will be charged varying fares based on their vehicle type. Passenger vehicles can expect fees between $9 and $23 while trucks would pay anywhere from $12 up to $82. These measures aim at reducing gridlock and improving overall traffic flow within New York City.
To balance some negative impacts of the program, such as increased truck traffic in South Bronx – an estimated additional 700 trucks per day – the MTA has agreed upon an undisclosed list of concessions and investments.
However, not everyone is celebrating this decision. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed his concerns about Garden State residents bearing most of the financial burden imposed by these proposed tolls.
Despite earlier doubts surrounding its implementation due to substantial delays in environmental reviews, FHWA issued a letter approving MTA's environmental assessment along with a draft "Finding of No Significant Impact." This marks another win for President Biden’s administration which champions infrastructure improvements across America.
MTA officials have stated that once they receive federal approval for this initiative, it could take almost a year before necessary tolling infrastructure is fully established and operational. As such, New Yorkers should expect further developments over time as this groundbreaking project unfolds.