New Jersey lawmakers voice concern over Transportation Department advancing Congestion Pricing plan

Democratic Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Bill Pascrell and Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez are against the plan and say that it will be a burden on New Jersey residents.

Matt Trapani

Jun 26, 2023, 10:40 PM

Updated 471 days ago

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The United States Department of Transportation has given New York the approval to go ahead with a congestion pricing plan for drivers entering Manhattan – despite pushback from New Jersey officials.
The DOT is allowing the plan to move forward without requiring an environmental study. The Federal Highway Administration says that the plan won’t have a significant environmental impact.
Democratic Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Bill Pascrell and Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez are against the plan and say that it will be a burden on New Jersey residents who travel to New York City.
The trio released a statement that says in part, "This is nothing more than a cash grab to fund the MTA. There is no excuse for FHWA and the Department of Transportation's failure to require New York to meaningfully engage with stakeholders across New Jersey..."
But New York officials say that congestion pricing will benefit everyone.
“Congestion pricing will reduce traffic in our crowded downtown, improve air quality and provide critical resources to the MTA,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote.