Murphy sues Biden administration over new NYC tolls on NJ drivers

💲 Gov. Phil Murphy seeks an environmental impact study of congestion pricing

💲 New York City is planning the implementation of congestion pricing

💲 The cost of the plan to commuters has not been determined

New Jersey will file a federal lawsuit in an effort to stop congestion pricing from taking effect in New York City.

Appearing on Fox 5 New York on Friday morning, the governor said he is "standing up for New Jersey commuters" by filing lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration because an environmental impact study was not done which "short-circuited" the normal process.

What is congestion pricing?

Congestion pricing will charge commuters entering Manhattan south of 60th Street an additional toll. The MTA's Traffic Mobility Review Board met for the first time during the week to determine just what that fee will be and any exemptions that will be granted.

Installation of a gantry to collect the fee started Friday on the 61st Street Bridge and West End Avenue in Manhattan, according to ABC 7 Eyewitness News.

What is the lawsuit about?

The lawsuit will ask for the environmental impact to be completed, according to the governor.

"We believe they neglected to take into account, especially the environmental impact, the effect on many communities in New Jersey as a result of this plan. Certainly, it is a financial burden beyond words for commuters in addition to the environmental impact. And it's just not right," Murphy said.

Menendez: Feds shirked responsibility

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J, said at a media briefing in Fort Lee Friday about the lawsuits that the despite the lack of an environmental impact study the MTA admitted that congestion pricing will increase pollution and traffic in Bergen County.

"That is a huge consequence to bi-state residents. And despite clear evidence the plan would increase particulate matters in New York and New Jersey the federal Department of Transportation approved the tax without conducting a full environmental impact statement," Menendez said.

New Jersey's senior senator said federal law requires agenices must consider the impact of their actions on water and air. Affected communities must be included in the process, according to Menendez.

"The Department of Transportation and project sponsors in New York clearly failed to do that with congestion pricing. By issuing a so-called environmental assessment instead of a full scale environmental impact statement federal burecrats clearly kicked the can down the road shirking their responsibility," Menendez said.

Longtime congestion pricing opponent U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J. 5th District thanked Murphy for "punching back" with a lawsuit at New York for deciding to use New Jersey as its "piggy bank" to solve to the MTA's financial issues.

"As anyone knows if you screw with Jersey buckle up we’re not backing dow,"Gottheimer said.

Gottheimer said no consideration was given by New York City or the MTA to the impact of the fee on those who work in Manhattan.

"They clearly don't care about the nurses, electricians, Uber drivers and restaurant workers who will suddenly have to find an extra $5,000 a year to pay to get to work. These people have to work an entire extra day a week for pay for the extra $23 a day congestion tax," Gottheimer said.

Respect for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul

Murphy said that his administration works on a regular basis with New York Gov. Hochul but on the issue of congestion pricing, they fiercely disagree.

"I've got to stand up for New Jersey commuters. We believe the Federal Highway Administration could call a time out and say 'you know what, we need the full environmental study," Murphy said. "If there's any project anywhere in the United States right now that merits a full-bore environmental study it's this one."

The governor, who has said he supports the concept of congestion pricing, said that if an environmental study is completed and it fails to stop congestion pricing he is prepared to accept the decision.

"We'll have to figure it out. But I've got to stand up for our environment and our commuters," Murphy said.

Murphy, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and , will hold a media briefing in Fort Lee Friday to discuss the lawsuit.

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