New York City Congestion Pricing Confounded by Federal Delay

While New York City's congestion pricing scheme waits for needed federal approval, political support seems to waver.

1 minute read

February 24, 2020, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York City Traffic

CC0 Public Domain / pxhere

According to Dana Rubinstein, New York City officials still aren’t sure if a proposed congestion pricing scheme requires an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement. The latter could take years to complete. The reason for the lack of certainty: officials at the U.S. Department of Transportation haven't communicated an answer to that question, despite officials at the city and state level posing the question to federal officials ten months ago.

"That haziness puts MTA officials, and the massive system-wide rehabilitation plan whose funding is reliant on congestion pricing, in a serious bind," writes Rubinstein.

The plan was to launch the congestion pricing scheme in January 2021, but that's looking less likely all the time—especially if the city and the state eventually do have to undertake an environmental impact statement.

In a later, follow up article on the same subject, Rubinstein reports that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has begun to cast doubt on the program. 'I’m not holding my breath for them to approve congestion pricing,' Cuomo is quoted as saying in the article.

Paul Berger originally reported the federal delay on the congestion pricing scheme in a paywalled article for the Wall Street Journal.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 in Politico

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View from inside car's driver seat while driving.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians

Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

15 minutes ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA