The federal government gave the state until May 21 to end new York City’s congestion pricing program or risk losing federal funding and project approvals.
The Department of Transportation is threatening to withhold federal funding and project approvals from the state of New York while Governor Kathy Hochul remains defiant of the Trump administration’s efforts to kill New York City’s congestion pricing program.
As Dan Zukowski explains in Smart Cities Dive, despite the program’s demonstrated success, USDOT called on the state to end the program by May 21 in an April 21 letter. Since it launched in January, it has exceeded revenue projections and reduced traffic by 11 percent.
Smart Cities Dive offers a timeline of the program’s controversial history. After being approved by New York State in 2019, the program was forced to undergo an environmental assessment to gain final federal approval in 2023. In 2024, the MTA Board approved the final pricing of $9 for most cars, and the program finally took effect in early 2025.
Read the full story: DOT could halt highway funding to New York May 28
Judge Extends NYC Congestion Pricing Through at Least June 9
A federal judge halted the Trump administration’s effort to kill the program, which remains in limbo as a lawsuit filed by the MTA moves forward.
USDOT Threatens to Pull New York Highway Funding
The Trump administration wants the state to kill New York City’s congestion pricing program despite its demonstrated success.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority