New York City has received a green light from the Biden administration to implement a retooled congestion pricing program, but the plan still faces lawsuits from opponents and anticipated pushback from incoming President-elect Donald Trump.

The Federal Highway Administration approved the program on Friday, though it could still be stopped by lawsuits. President-elect Donald Trump is also opposed to the plan.

A federal agency approved the revised congestion pricing plan recently introduced by officials in New York, setting the controversial tolling plan on track to begin the morning of Jan. 5, 2025. As NJBIZ has reported,

The authority runs the subway, buses and commuter lines to the suburbs, as well as some tunnels and bridges, and will now implement congestion pricing. On November 18th its board approved the new $9 toll.

The Federal Highway Administration approved New York City’s congestion pricing plan that will charge people nine dollars to drive into the heart of Manhattan beginning in January 2025.

After pausing the plan, Gov. Hochul has revived the plan with a proposed $9-a-day toll for motorists traveling south of 60th Street in Manhattan.

NEW YORK -- The reintroduction of New York City congestion pricing tolls will be discussed at an MTA board meeting today. Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she wants to launch congestion pricing in early January 2025, but she wants to lower the toll to enter Manhattan below 60th Street from $15 to $9.

Lieber said the sign-off also gave a seal of approval to the congestion pricing phase-in plan unveiled last week by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Hochul’s plan approved this week by MTA board members – which resurrected the hated toll program that she placed on months-long “pause” – will lower the base toll from $15 to $9, at least to start.