Menendez, Gottheimer Call for Environmental Assessment of Congestion Tax Plan

Will the Congestion Tax have a harmful impact on the environment? Two New Jersey lawmakers want to find out.

Speaking outside the Holland Tunnel, Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Rob Menendez sounded the alarm on the environmental impacts of New York City’s congestion pricing plan for New Jersey commuters. Gottheimer argued the plan would have serious environmental impacts, and that the MTA admitted as much in their own report on the $23-a-day plan.

“In their own report last year, the MTA admitted to the DOT that the Congestion Tax will not only cause more traffic here at the tunnel and at the Lincoln and GW Bridge, but that it will also increase air pollution affecting our children and families,” he said.

Environmental Concerns

In the report, MTA and New York noted that more trucks and cars would be diverted into North Jersey and the outer boroughs just outside of the tolling zone, which would likely hurt lower income families most of all.

Gottheimer further said the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) “blindsided” New Jersey families by allowing New York City and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to move forward with the Congestion Tax plan.

7 Line Expansion

“Rather than listen to facts and families — like the 75% of those who testified against the Congestion Tax in public hearings — the U.S. Department of Transportation is choosing to ignore the facts that the MTA submitted to the federal government in their own reports about the negative environmental effects of congestion pricing,” said Gottheimer.

Menendez highlighted the fact that a potential solution, the expansion of New York City Subway’s 7 line to Secaucus Junction which had been previously floated by New York and the MTA, was not included in the plan.

“Instead of working with us to support the new Port Authority Bus Terminal, PATH service, and to expand the NYC Subway’s 7 line to New Jersey, New York is working to shift revenue to the MTA to the detriment of our bus and train commuters,” concluded Menendez.

No Help for New Jersey

According to New York and MTA, the plan would increase traffic, pollutants, and mobile air toxins through 2045 in the Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Bergen County. Increases were expected for particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide in Bergen County, as well.

Although MTA said it would spend $130 million in toll revenue to mitigate impacts in the Bronx and other parts of New York, it would not share revenues with New Jersey for the same purpose.

“While New York is funding environmental mitigation in the Bronx, they refuse to do so for our communities,”  said Menendez. “I am committed to working with Rep. Gottheimer, our Congressional delegation, and Governor Murphy to fight this inequitable plan.”