Copyright: Maria Feklistova | Dreamstime.com
New Jersey’s desperate attempts to stall New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to implement congestion pricing this Sunday received a last-minute blow on Friday night.
After a 90-minute hearing and four hours of closed-door discussions, Judge Leo Gordon rejected New Jersey’s argument that implementing congestion pricing would lead to irreparable and immediate harm to New Jerseyans who may see increased traffic from motorists trying to avoid paying the new toll.
The ruling paves the way for congestion pricing to begin on Sunday, when most motorists will be charged $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street.
New Jersey sued the federal Department of Transportation in 2023, alleging that federal officials approved New York’s congestion pricing plan without properly evaluating how it would affect New Jersey. On Monday, Gordon issued a preliminary ruling that largely sided against New Jersey, but ordered federal officials to provide the court with more information about ways to mitigate the environmental impacts New Jersey could face.
New Jersey on Tuesday asked Gordon to issue an injunction barring New York from moving forward with congestion pricing until federal officials provided that information.
Following Friday's hearing, Gordon denied the request.
Gordon also rejected New Jersey’s request for a five-day stay while the state files an immediate appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit.
Earlier today the 3rd Circuit declined to intervene.
What this means is that New York’s toll for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street will begin just after midnight on Sunday. Passenger cars will pay a $9 toll between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends.
Lawyers representing New Jersey have vowed to take their case to the U.S. Supreme Court if need be.
To join the FAA News WhatsApp Status, click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment