American Council of Engineering Companies of New York, American Institute of Architects New York & Associated General Contractors of New York State Join Building Congress on[...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2024

After years of stalled action, New York and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are now prepared to roll out a landmark congestion pricing plan after this morning's MTA board vote. In the face of myriad misguided lawsuits challenging such a forward-thinking, game-changing policy, we, the undersigned organizations representing numerous sectors across New York City's economic landscape, affirm our unwavering support for congestion pricing and our commitment to help ensure its success.

Our great city has been able to largely recover from the devastating impact of a global pandemic on our residents and businesses. The MTA's congestion pricing plan is now an essential step toward revitalizing central business districts - both in Manhattan and beyond - while providing cleaner air, safer streets, and a more efficient, better-funded mass transit system that can serve New Yorkers for generations to come.

Congestion pricing is an investment in making the region's ongoing success more sustainable while also creating new opportunities outside of the borough. Not only will it help more New Yorkers take advantage of our regional transportation network, but it will also generate deeply needed funding that can improve our aging infrastructure to better connect our communities across the Northeast Corridor.

Once enacted, congestion pricing is expected to bring in $1 billion a year for the state. That infusion of funding will translate to critical capital investments that will benefit New Yorkers for generations to come. As the MTA recently reported, anticipated congestion pricing bond proceeds of $15 billion make up more than 50% of the remaining funds in the MTA's 2020-2024 Capital Program, which would be used to support projects across the subway system, buses, Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). These investments impact the everyday lives of commuters across the system, including providing new subway cars, improving station accessibility and modernization, and electrification of our full bus fleet.

We greatly appreciate the care with which the leadership team behind the congestion pricing plan has approached its rollout, deliberately and attentively working hand-in-hand with stakeholders on the ground. The MTA recently announced details of its exemptions for persons with disabilities who would be affected by congestion pricing tolls, and it continues to work with residents and local leaders to address neighborhood and environmental impacts.

The successful rollout of one of the world's largest, most complicated congestion pricing plans is no small feat. However, we are confident that with ongoing communication and engagement, New York is positioned to once again be an international leader as we embrace a fairer, cleaner, more sustainable future for all New Yorkers.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

New York Building Congress

American Council of Engineering Companies of New York

American Institute of Architects New York

Associated General Contractors of New York State

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