New York MTA Upholds Pause on Congestion Pricing, Scales Back Projects

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority has halted some major infrastructure projects after Governor Kathy Hochul suspended the congestion pricing program that was expected to boost revenue.

According to an article by Sebastian Obando in Smart Cities Dive, “The pause in construction projects is a major setback for the city’s infrastructure development, particularly at a time when the city’s transportation network is in dire need of upgrades.”

Suspended projects include the much-anticipated Second Avenue Subway and improvements at two Queens stations. “[Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress] expects construction firms, both large and small, to feel the immediate impact of these pauses, with a significant reduction in jobs and economic activity. Without timely action on congestion pricing, Scissura said New York City risks falling behind in maintaining and expanding its transportation infrastructure.”

On Wednesday, the MTA Board of Directors voted to uphold the governor’s suspension and scale back the agency’s maintenance and expansion plans.