New York City given March 21 deadline to end congestion pricing

The Department of Transportation gave New York City a deadline of March 21 to end its congestion pricing plan.

In a letter to New York State Transportation Department(NYSDOT) officials, Federal Highway Administration Executive Director Gloria Shepherd followed up on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s order that terminated the state’s congestion pricing plan.

“In order to provide NYSDOT and its project sponsors time to terminate operations of this pilot project in an orderly manner, this rescission of approval and termination of the November 21, 2024, Agreement will be effective on March 21, 2025,” Shepherd wrote.

President Trump celebrated last week after he said his administration “saved” New York from the $9 charge for drivers to enter part of Manhattan.

State officials touted the plan as reducing traffic and air pollution in the city, but opponents said it overburdened commuters.

Shepherd asked state officials to work with the department’s New York administrator to “provide the necessary details and updates regarding the cessation of toll operations.”

The memo said it provided the March 21 deadline so state officials could work with the various entry points into Manhattan and make the cessation orderly.