March 30, 2021 – The Biden Administration, via the U.S. Department of Transportation, requested the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) submits an environmental assessment for the first-in-the-nation congestion pricing system, paving the way for tolling in large swaths of Manhattan and billions of dollars of incremental toll revenues.

The Trump administration delayed a decision on the environmental review required for the MTA to proceed with congestion pricing. Experts consider an environment “assessment” as less daunting than a comprehensive “Environmental Impact Statement” which could delay the project for many years.

The State is required to seek federal approval as parts of the congestion pricing system would include federally-funded roads. The MTA has been seeking federal guidance on congestion pricing since 2019.

The State legislature has not set a price for tolling, but designated a revenue target of at least $1 billion a year to support $15 billion in bonds, proceeds of which will be used to fund an expansion of transit services.

Contact Jonas Anton at JAnton@buymuni.com.