The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has provided a Letter of Legal Sufficiency for New York City’s (NYC) Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to advance the implementation of a congestion pricing programme.
This letter acknowledges that the MTA has provided sufficient documentation for its congestion pricing plan, and has thus been granted legal federal approval to introduce a the scheme in New York City.
The FHWA is also now expected to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact to mark its environmental approval. Once this has been confirmed, the state will be able to advance the congestion pricing programme’s design and adoption.
MTA Chief, External Relations John J. McCarthy said:Congestion pricing is a generational opportunity to make it easier for people to get around in, and get to, the Central Business District, by reducing traffic and funding improvements to the public transit system. To do it right, environmental equity has been an integral component.
We are grateful that the FHWA has acknowledged the Project Sponsors’ efforts to date and has found the document has met the standards for legal sufficiency.
The congestion programme will introduce a daily charge to those wishing to drive within congested areas of the city. This is expected to be around 8 USD for cars and 21 USD for trucks.
By encouraging people to instead use public or alternative forms of transport, this system will reduce traffic congestion and cut emissions, while also funding upgrades to the city’s public transit system.
Similar systems have already been implemented in other cities around the world, including London, UK.
