Federal Judge Allows MTA to Proceed with Congestion Pricing

A federal judge in New Jersey has allowed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to proceed with implementing congestion pricing in midtown Manhattan starting January 5, despite environmental concerns from neighboring New Jersey. Judge Leo Gordon ruled that the Federal Highway Administration must explain why it has detailed pollution mitigations for the Bronx but not for New Jersey. The court set a deadline of January 17 for providing this explanation, but the congestion toll will go into effect as scheduled. New Jersey criticized the plan as a 'brazen money grab' and filed a lawsuit seeking more thorough environmental reviews. The ruling marks a significant step for the MTA's plan, which aims to reduce traffic and generate funds for transit improvements, but further legal and environmental assessments may be required. The decision highlights ongoing tensions between New York and New Jersey over the plan's regional impacts.