The Federal Highway Administration has approved a plan by the state of New York to charge for driving in Midtown Manhattan to combat traffic congestion. This is the first such effort in the United States.
Drivers can pay up to $23 to travel south of Manhattan’s 60th Street. The specific cost and implementation of tolling have not yet been finalized, but could be introduced as early as 2024.
How the toll system works (toll amounts, who is credited and who is exempt from tolls, etc.) is determined by the Transport Mobility Review Board. Once it is determined and approved by the MTA, the plan will require him to receive final approval from the FHWA.
The new toll is expected to generate an additional $1 billion annually, which will be used to finance borrowings to upgrade subway, bus and commuter rail systems operated by the MTA.
People heading to Manhattan are already paying hefty fees to use many of the bridges and tunnels that connect the Hudson, East, and Harlem rivers. The special rate for the southern half of Manhattan will be on top of existing rates.
The New York legislature approved a conceptual plan for congestion pricing in 2019, but its implementation has stalled due to COVID-19 and a lack of federal guidance.
more:New York City has a new plan to reduce traffic.Drivers to Manhattan may incur an additional charge of $23.
Travel speeds in Manhattan’s central business district declined 22% between 2010 and 2019, averaging about 7 mph, resulting in drivers losing about 102 hours of travel time per year, according to an environmental assessment. have experienced Local bus speed he dropped by 28%.
Officials in New Jersey, where commuters to Manhattan would have to pay a toll every day, opposed the proposal.
A New Jersey legislative delegation led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Governor Phil Murphy sent numerous letters to the FHWA urging the MTA to conduct a full environmental impact study. Governor Phil Murphy announced that the administration is considering legal options.
Bailey Lawrence said: “While we are not necessarily opposed to carefully crafted congestion pricing proposals, we are deeply disappointed by the FHWA’s limited scrutiny, and we hope that we will be able to engage meaningfully with the administration on this issue. We are skeptical of the motives of financially distressed government agencies that have failed to deliver on their promises.” a Murphy spokesperson said in a statement.
MTA Director Jano Lieber said the agency is considering New Jersey as it works to finalize the congestion pricing plan.
“They are not asking for our permission to raise the tolls on the Garden State Parkway or the Jersey Turnpike, they are only raising the tolls for the areas they manage,” Lieber said. told Marcia Kramer. CBS interview on June 11th.
Cities such as London, Singapore and Stockholm have introduced similar tariffs for their highly congested business districts. In London, congestion dropped by 30% the year after congestion charges were introduced, and air pollution dropped by almost a quarter. Washington Post.
more:New Study Reveals Which City Has Worst Traffic Congestion In The U.S. And It’s No Longer Los Angeles
Contributor: Colleen Wilson, Associated Press
