Breaking News: New York State Ready to Embrace Congestion Pricing, Finally

The New York State Legislature is preparing to reverse over a decade of reluctance regarding congestion pricing, according to reports from Albany.

1 minute read

March 26, 2019, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Traffic

Mr.Bajang / Shutterstock

"After years of hesitation, New York is poised to become the first city in the United States to introduce congestion pricing, which would put new electronic tolls in place for drivers entering the busiest stretches of Manhattan," reports Jesse McKinley and Winnie Hu.

More specifically, but still lacking some specifics, McKinley and Hu add: "Though state leaders have not ironed out details, they had reached consensus on Monday that the plan was necessary to help pay for much-needed repairs to the city’s beleaguered subway system."

Speaker of the State Assembly Carl E. Heastie and other state legislators have been "hunkered behind closed doors in recent days, discussing a broad array of exemptions that would make congestion pricing more palatable," according to sources close to the negotiations. If the State Legislature can agree on specifics of a congestion pricing deal, the state government would join Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio in support for the project.

Long-time observers of plans to bring congestion pricing to New York City will recall that a proposal to charge drivers to access parts of Manhattan died in the State Legislature in 2008.

Monday, March 25, 2019 in The New York Times

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

March 28 - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

March 28 - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.