Feds Show NYC The Congestion-Pricing $$$

Congestion-pricing took a giant leap towards being reality in the city today when Mary Peters of the Department of Transportation announced that NYC will receive $354 million to help implement the system of cameras and tolls that will charge drivers $8 for cars and $21 for trucks to enter Manhattan below 86th St.

From WCBS-TV:

(CBS) NEW YORK Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan got a big boost Tuesday with the announcement of federal funding. The federal government has agreed to pay $354 million to New York City to help install tolls for drivers entering the busiest parts of Manhattan.

At 10 a.m., U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced that New York City will receive federal money to put the mayor's congestion plan into place.

The article goes on to paint New Yorkers view of the plan to be terrible, mostly from people driving into the city (who woulda thunk?). Perhaps they'll start to use mass transit and help reduce congestion and increase the air quality around the city (there is a reason its called congestion-pricing). My favorite interview though, was from Manhattan resident Judy Feldman.

Manhattan residents aren't celebrating either. Judy Feldman lives along East 60th St. and sees a majority of the congestion from the 59th Street Bridge. She says she is not sure how much the plan is going to help.

“I don't know how if it's going to help the air quality, it probably will help the congestion,” said Feldman. “Although people that can afford to park in the city and drive in everyday probably won't think of anything else will pay the extra, it's a business expense.”

Dear, reducing the amount of traffic in your area is going to be one of the benefits. Oh and if you think reducing congestion and pollution aren't related, you might want to look at some of the cars in Manhattan and see what comes out of their tailpipes. There is a reason you aren't supposed to breathe that stuff up close, it can kill you. And over time, breathing polluted air reduces the quality of life for all of us. Just a little common sense, ya know?

People are going to bitch and moan about this, but really, we all need to do our part to clean up the air locally so we can help the planet globally. If not for you, for your kids, grandkids, etc. Get my point?

Congestion Pricing On Hold At The Fed Level Too

So Bloomberg was not telling the truth (i.e. lying) last month when he pressed Sheldon Silver and the New York State Legislature to pass his version of congestion pricing. Well Senator Silver didn't believe him and it seems there was good reason not to. Officials at the U.S. Department of Transportation still have the matter on hold, and have not made a decision either way to grant p to $500 million in federal aid.

From The NYT CityRoom:

Supporters of the mayor’s congestion pricing proposal will have to wait a few more days before getting a crucial federal go-ahead on the plan. The United States Department of Transportation, which had been slated to make an announcement on Wednesday about New York’s status in a federal competition for more than $500 million in funds, now says the decision will be delayed.

“We won’t be making the announcement tomorrow,” said Brian Turmail, a spokesman for the department. “We don’t know when it’s going to happen.”

Mr. Turmail would not elaborate on a cause for the delay, but at least one source with knowledge of the situation believed that the department may be redirecting its resources to the federal response to last week’s Minnesota bridge collapse.

Helping the situation in Minneapolis is far more important than any desire for a quick solution to approving funds for congestion pricing. Of course, it still has to be taken care of eventually.