By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Governor Kathy Hochul stated Thursday that the Biden Administration is looking for changes to a long-planned congestion pricing program for New York City. This could delay implementation of a system to lower Manhattan’s traffic and increase funding for mass transit.

The U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), stated that the Trump administration had not acted on the plan to use traffic tolls in Manhattan to control it. This was after an expedited environment review.

“We submitted our plans on time to Washington in February, and by March, the federal government came back with over 400 questions and areas they want us to make adjustments,” the New York governor said Thursday. We cannot obtain the approvals required by the federal government so it’s not likely that this will occur right away.

New York wants to charge a daily variable toll for vehicles entering or remaining within the “Central Business District,” an area stretching from 60th Street in Midtown Manhattan down to Battery Park, Manhattan’s southern tip.

Stephanie Pollack was the FHWA’s deputy administrator and she told reporters on Thursday that they were working to answer questions.

They received our comments many months back. They have pretty much gotten a way forward or a solution on nearly every one of them,” Pollack stated. He said the agency would work to “get this done by whatever is important” for the city, state and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), who operate New York City’s subway and bus systems, and its two commuter railway lines.

State lawmakers approved the plan in April 2019. The initial project was to begin in January 2021.

Hochul stated Thursday that more people should use the subways and trains to get around the city. He also said that more people need to leave their cars at home. Hochul said, “I’m committed to making it happen.”

The MTA would be entitled to 80% of the congestion fee after expenses incurred in operating the program. Ten percent each will be allocated to Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North Railroad commuter rail lines.

The MTA stated that the system will speed up traffic flow and lower pollution. It would also raise money for mass transit.

New York will be the US’s first major city to adopt London’s congestion charging policy. London began it in 2003.

Officials claim that the $1 billion annual toll would fund $15 billion of new debt financing in four years for mass transit support.

Hochul stated Tuesday at the gubernatorial election that federal officials had “hurdles” in his way and said “this will happen over the next one under any circumstances.” However, Hochul did not believe it was the right moment.

Polly Trottenberg (U.S. Transportation deputy Secretary) said that the department is working with New York and “We are very dedicated to helping them get over the process.”