Judge temporarily blocks termination of NYC traffic congestion program

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman on Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order to prevent the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration from terminating the new system. That toll system charges drivers to enter Manhattan below 60th Street in an effort to alleviate congestion. The Trump administration earlier this year rescinded approval for the program, saying it exceeded the New York Department of Transportation’s authority. In an April letter, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the FHWA may halt project approvals and funding in New York City if the state did not eliminate the system.

The Metropolitan Transportation Association, or MTA, which runs the city’s mass transit system and operates the toll program, sued federal officials over their attempt to shut down the regulation. Under Tuesday’s order, New York officials are permitted to continue the charges through at least June 9, and Liman said the MTA showed a likelihood of success in its case against the administration. The judge did not say when he expected to issue a final ruling.

What is the congestion pricing program? New York in January instituted the new system that charges drivers tolls when they enter a designated congestion relief zone during peak traffic hours. The system is the first of its kind in the country and is intended to reduce congestion, improve travel times, reduce emissions, and create safer streets. The toll generated more than $48 million during its first month alone, according to the MTA, with more than two-thirds of the revenue coming from passenger vehicles.

What have officials said about the decision? New York Gov. Kathy Hochul cheered the judge’s temporary order, calling the Trump administration’s reaction an example of federal overreach. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the transportation department told The New York Times that the ruling was not a final verdict but simply a pause to give the court more time to reach a decision. A lawyer for the department said the government would comply with the order.

Dig deeper: Read my report about the new toll program.