MTA moves ahead with congestion pricing in NYC after judge asks for more details 

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A federal judge in New Jersey issued a 72-page ruling on congestion pricing on Monday.

The State of New Jersey and others had filed suit in April to stop congestion pricing.

All sides are still reviewing the documents, but it seems as if the judge did not block the start date for congestion pricing.

The judge has ordered the MTA and Federal Highway Administration to provide more information about the impact of congestion pricing in New Jersey and the Bronx and mitigation efforts in impacted areas. 

The judge wants additional information by Jan. 17 with other responses later in the month. The plaintiffs will be responding to the update. 

"The judge was asking for a higher level of detail for the efforts in New Jersey. It does not say you can’t do this. That means go," said Lisa Daglian, the executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA.

The State of New Jersey and other parties say the program will have a negative environmental impact on communities in certain parts of the region.

More than $130 million has been dedicated to mitigation efforts in the program to address some traffic and clean air concerns. 

As of now, it appears the program will be able to start on Sunday, Jan. 5 as the MTA addresses the mitigation issues raised by the New Jersey court. 

"We’re gratified that on virtually every issue, Judge Gordon agreed with the New York federal court and rejected New Jersey’s claim that the Environmental Assessment approved 18 months ago was deficient. Most important, the decision does not interfere with the program’s scheduled implementation this coming Sunday, January 5. On the two remaining issues where the Judge requested that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provide additional data – information that was not yet before the Court in this proceeding – we’re confident that the subsequent Federal actions, including the approval of the revised, reduced toll rates, did put those issues to rest," said MTA Chairman Janno Lieber. 

Opponents say they are reviewing the ruling and point to the judge's statements on funding and impact. It is scheduled to begin Sunday at midnight. 

"It's the first time that a judge actually recognized their environmental issues that need to be addressed, which is what we have been saying all along. We say put on the brakes. There's no mitigation plan to start on January 5 and that’s where the irreparable harm is," said Valerie Mason with New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax. 

Some other cases are still pending, including on Long Island. Earlier this month, two judges in New York heard cases and did not issue injunctions.

A group is suing in Manhattan federal court on the grounds that the state violated the procedure.