MTA: Anti-congestion pricing lawsuits jeopardize Brooklyn projects

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Monday detailed projects across the subway system, buses, Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road that the agency says are at risk due to the lawsuits against congestion pricing. 

Many important Brooklyn elected officials, such as Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Assemblymember Robert Carroll, and environmental groups like Bike South Brooklyn are supporters of congestion pricing, while others such as Councilmember Ari Kagan are opponents. 

Supporters tend to stress benefits such as cleaner air and fewer traffic jams. Local opponents say it will penalize businesses that have to deliver goods back and forth between Manhattan and Brooklyn on a regular basis, as well as Brooklyn medical patients who have to take cabs to Manhattan hospitals. 

There are currently at least half a dozen lawsuits against congestion pricing. Among the plaintiffs are a group of Lower East Side residents, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, and the Municipal Labor Council, which claims that congestion pricing would penalize city employees who work in the congestion zone.

“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,” the MTA said. “As a result, the MTA Capital Program must be largely placed on hold.”

Subway station accessibility upgrades in Brooklyn that the MTA…