NYC Mayor's Congestion Pricing Plan Back On Track

Thanks to unbeknownst peace-making by NYC Mayor Bloomberg between the Democratic governor and the Republican Senate Majority leader, his congestion pricing plan has been salvaged with a new deadline for legislative approval set for March 31, 2008.

2 minute read

July 24, 2007, 10:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Under a deal reached Thursday, 7/19, that will be "written into draft legislation and a letter of agreement", it is hoped that the city will qualify for the Dept. of Transportation's Urban Partnership Program and win critical transit funding.

From: "NYC Traffic Plan First Had To Crack Albany's Gridlock"

"Ninety-six hours of high pressure negotiations pushed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer ended with Bloomberg landing state approval to pursue his vision for a cleaner, less congested Manhattan and a chance for $500 million in federal funding.

In the process, the Republican-turned-independent helped bring together disparate allies - Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno and the Democratic governor. During weeks of unprecedented name calling and power plays, the two state leaders refused to negotiate or meet, except on their own terms."

"Although Bruno and Spitzer supported the mayor's ‘congestion pricing' concept", their feuding had prevented the plan from being heard by the Assembly, resulting in the missed, original deadline of July 16.

Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Speaker, a known critic of congestion pricing, "said that although a deal had been reached, the debate and the negotiation have just begun".

From: "NYC Car Toll Plan: After Deal, Far To Go"

"Although Bloomberg had initially said a decision had to be made by Monday so the city would meet the federal deadline, a spokesman for the mayor said Thursday the administration was in touch with federal officials as the deal was reached."

"What emerged was[from the talks that ensued past the initial deadline]was an agreement to form a commission that will examine the overall concept of reducing traffic. The primary plan the commission will study is Bloomberg's proposal, through hearings, testimony and a review of every aspect of traffic congestion.

The group is to make a recommendation by January 31."

The commission can devise a plan that won't "be required to include tolls". However, "any alternative will have to obtain the same traffic-reductions targets as Bloomberg's original plan and be approved the Dept. of Transportation."

Those familiar with the Urban Partnership Program indicate that DOT will only accept a plan that charges tolls, as Los Angeles recently discovered (see related link).

The legislature will be required to act on the commission's recommendation by March 31, 2008.

[Editor's Note: Parts of this summary were taken from "Albany Revives NYC Traffic Plan"/AP; NY Metro http://ny.metro.us/, pg. 1, July 20-22, 2007 - print edition only.]

Saturday, July 21, 2007 in Associated Press via Newsday

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

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

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18, 2024 - Beverly Press

Street Traffic in Manhattan

New York Congestion Pricing Approved by MTA Board

The program took another step forward as the board approved a proposed pricing scheme, but lawsuits still stand in the way of full implementation.

7 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

White and yellow Metro Transit streetcar in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Video: Making Transit Better

How trackless trams and other innovations can make U.S. transit more efficient.

1 hour ago - CNBC Marathon

Amtrak train passing over tall trestle bridge on California coast at Gaviota Beach.

LA-to-San Francisco Night Train Closer to Reality

A train operator has entered into formal negotiations with Union Pacific to move the project forward with a projected launch date of 2025.

March 27 - SFGate

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.