Murphy to get monthly updates on traffic tolls
Impact of congestion pricing on NJ scrutinized
By: Colleen Wilson
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Governor Phil Murphy is calling on the Port authority of New York and New Jersey to send him monthly bridge and tunnel traffic data to track the impacts of the new Manhattan congestion pricing toll.
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Murphy voiced concern in a January 22 [2025] letter to board Charmian Kevin O'Toole about "monitoring the adverse impacts" from the new tolling program, which started January 5 [2025] and tolls vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street.
..... The governor requested the bistate agency to send him the number of vehicles at each Port authority crossing, including the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, and the revenue generated at each crossing on a monthly basis, plus the same data form 2023 and 2024 for comparison.
..... "The Port authority will provide Governor Murphy's office the requested data moving forward," said Seth Stein, a Port Authority spokesman. "The Port Authority also publicly releases traffic volumes monthly, and January figures will be made available in February.
..... Asked if Murphy requested similar data for PATH or NJ Transit - where ridership could have also changed due to congestion pricing - a spokesman did not immediately respond.
..... The goals of congestion pricing are to reduce traffic in Manhattan below 60th Street, improve air quality and sue the toll to fund $15 billion in capital improvements at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
..... During the planning process for congestion pricing, concerns were raised about whether revenues at the Port Authority could decrease if more people take public transpiration.
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Murphy raised those concerns in a 2022 letter, which also came with a warning: "I want it to be clear that any reduction to the Port authority capital plan because of congestion pricing should not come at the Expense of New Jersey projects."
..... Around that time, Murphy also threatened to veto minutes at the Port Authority, which the governors of both New York and New Jersey have the ability to do, a move that could slow or halt work at the agency, such as large capital projects at JFK airport or the new Midtown Manhattan bus terminal, both of which the Port Authority oversees.
..... Murphy is trying every angle to pause congestion pricing so a more thorough environmental review can take place that reflects the potential impact on New Jersey.
..... He also wrote a letter to President Donald Trump seeking his help to pause congestion pricing. Murphy's administration filed a lawsuit filed in federal court, and a lengthy decision issued by the judge largely sided with New York and the Federal Highway Administration and allowed the program to begin.