Manhattan’s congestion pricing program is set to commence on January 5, following a court ruling that dismissed New Jersey’s attempt to delay the initiative.

After extensive deliberation, Judge Leo M. Gordon denied New Jersey’s request to halt the controversial tolling program, which will impose a $9 toll on passenger cars entering Manhattan through the Lincoln and Holland tunnels during peak hours. This decision came just two days before the program’s scheduled start and four days after Gordon’s initial 70-page ruling on New Jersey’s lawsuit.

Randy Mastro, representing New Jersey, sought a five-day delay, which was also denied. However, Gordon noted that New Jersey could appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals over the weekend. The judge’s clarification followed a week of confusion, as both sides claimed victory after his initial decision.

New Jersey’s lawsuit argued that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) failed to conduct a thorough environmental impact study and unfairly allocated mitigation funds to New York, neglecting New Jersey. Despite these claims, Gordon disagreed with most of New Jersey’s allegations.

The FHWA and MTA maintained that they complied with legal requirements, submitting an extensive study on the potential impacts of congestion pricing. Gordon has asked the FHWA to revisit financial commitments for mitigation and to consider alternative tolling plans, with final responses due by February 11, 2025.

The congestion pricing initiative, aimed at raising $15 billion for the MTA’s public transportation capital plan, reducing traffic congestion, and improving air quality, has faced numerous legal challenges. New York Governor Kathy Hochul had paused the program in June but revived it after the November elections. Despite negotiations, New York and New Jersey failed to reach an agreement.

Supporters of congestion pricing rallied outside the Newark courthouse, advocating for the program’s benefits to the MTA’s transit system, the environment, and traffic reduction. Meanwhile, the union representing Manhattan EMTs and paramedics advised members to transfer to outer-borough stations due to the toll’s impact on their commutes.

“Members are routinely assigned to midnight shifts, often compelled without notice by the FDNY to work double tours, so most EMS members cannot rely on public transit to commute to their stations,” said Oren Barzilay, president of FDNY EMS Local 2507.