Report Released Friday by FHWA on MTA Congestion Pricing Program Disagrees with Gov. Hochul’s Arguments

The issuance of a report late Friday, June 14th by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) runs contrary to Hochul’s argument that “congestion pricing could stifle the region’s post-pandemic recovery.” Instead, the FHWA’s “Final [environmental assessment] and reevaluation found economic benefits;” noted that “the tolls are not anticipated to result in meaningful change in cost for most consumer goods;” and the program “meets the purpose and need of reducing traffic congestion in the [central business district], while generating revenue for future transportation improvements.” The FHWA’s 14-page document “clears the way for the MTA to move forward with what’s known as a “Value Pricing Pilot Program” agreement,” but it requires signatures from “officials with the federal government, the MTA and city and state departments of transportation before the program can launch; and although Governor Hochul “indicated that, for the time being, the state’s Transportation Commissioner, Marie Therese Dominguez, will not sign the agreement,” it may “bolster legal challenges against Hochul’s indefinite pause.

Source:    https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/feds-congestion-pricing-approval-disagrees-hochul