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The timeframe for the release of the Central Business District Tolling Program’s (a.k.a. Congestion Pricing) Environmental Assessment, which must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration for the program to proceed, is anticipated to be released on or about Aug. 10
By Forum Staff
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) chairman and CEO Janno Lieber, on behalf of the MTA, New York State Department of Transportation and New York City Department of Transportation, recently announced two significant steps toward the implementation of congestion pricing, known formally as the Central Business District Tolling Program. He announced the empaneling of the program’s Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) with the appointment of five members. He also announced an anticipated timeframe for the release of the program’s Environmental Assessment, which must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the program to proceed. The document is anticipated to be released on or about Aug. 10, with agencies to hold a series of six virtual public hearings seeking public feedback beginning on Thursday, Aug. 25, and concluding on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
The agencies will begin collecting public feedback on the Environmental Assessment on or about Aug. 10. Comments will be accepted online as well as email, mail, voicemail, fax and via a series of six hearings, which will be held online and accessible via mta.info/CBDTP at the dates and times listed below. Comments at these sessions will also become part of the formal record.
Thursday, Aug. 25, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 30, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Should congestion pricing be approved by the Federal Highway Administration, the TMRB would develop recommendations for toll rates, as well as any credits, discounts, or exemptions and then present the recommendations to the MTA Board for consideration before the program is implemented. Appointing the TMRB members prior to the release of the Environmental Assessment will allow them to benefit directly from the public comment period, reviewing feedback as they learn and understand information provided by the CBDTP Team.
The TMRB will take into consideration traffic patterns, traffic mitigation measures, operating costs, vehicle types, public impact, public safety, peak and off-peak rates and environmental impacts. Accompanying their recommendations, the TMRB will provide a report on the review and analysis behind its recommendations. Ultimately, the MTA Board (which is also the Board of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, known legally as the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority) will determine the final toll structure after the TMRB’s recommendations.
The recommendations must ensure collection of annual net revenues and fees necessary to fund at least $15 billion for the MTA’s 2020 to 2024 capital program.
The Board consists of one appointee recommended by the Mayor of the City of New York, one resident in the Metro-North Railroad region, and one resident in the Long Island Rail Road region. All members have experience in one or more of the following areas: public finance, transportation, mass transit or management.
The MTA recently announced the appointment of the chairman of the Traffic Mobility Review Board and four members: Carl Weisbrod, chairman of the Traffic Mobility Review Board; John H. Banks; Scott Rechler; Elizabeth Velez, Kathryn Wilde/
A sixth member will be recommended by Mayor Eric Adams.
