Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has suggested an aggressive countermeasure to combat New York’s congestion pricing plan: cutting millions of dollars in funding for New York infrastructure projects. According to Christie, Governor Phil Murphy should leverage his authority at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to block ongoing renovations at John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports until Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) offer better terms for New Jersey commuters.

Using the Port Authority as Leverage

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency responsible for managing vital regional infrastructure, including airports, seaports, the Hudson River crossings, and the Midtown bus terminal. Christie believes New Jersey’s influence over the agency provides a powerful tool to negotiate fairer terms for its drivers, who currently face steep tolls to enter Manhattan.

New Jersey commuters already pay tolls for the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, and under the congestion pricing plan, they will be charged an additional $9 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. While New Jersey drivers receive a $3 credit, the fee will rise to $15 in the future.

“This is a much bigger problem for New Jersey,” Christie told The Post. “New York will continue raising tolls. This is a New Jersey problem that has to be fixed.”

What Christie Proposes

Christie argues that Governor Murphy should take a stronger stance in negotiations and demand a better deal for New Jersey commuters. His main proposals include:

1. Blocking Funding for New York Airports – Christie suggests stopping funds for ongoing renovations at JFK and LaGuardia airports. “Those are important projects to New York,” he said. “You want congestion pricing? We’re going to stop these projects until New Jersey gets a better deal.”
2. Negotiating a Higher Toll Credit for New Jersey Drivers – Christie believes New Jersey motorists should receive a greater discount on congestion tolls.
3. Demanding a Share of Congestion Pricing Revenue – The revenue generated by congestion pricing currently funds New York’s public transportation system, including the MTA’s subway and bus lines. Christie suggests negotiating a deal where part of the revenue supports New Jersey’s NJ Transit system instead.
4. Threatening to Pull Funding for Other New York Projects – Christie recalls his past decision to withhold funding from a New York project at the World Trade Center site to prioritize the Bayonne Bridge upgrade, showing that such tactics have worked before.

Potential Consequences of Christie’s Plan

Christie’s strategy could escalate tensions between New York and New Jersey, potentially leading to retaliation from New York officials. Withholding funds for JFK and LaGuardia airport renovations might trigger countermeasures from Governor Hochul’s administration, possibly impacting projects that benefit New Jersey commuters, such as:

• PATH Train Expansion – A key project connecting New Jersey with Manhattan.
• Newark Liberty International Airport Improvements – Critical for New Jersey travelers.
• New Times Square Bus Terminal Construction – A major infrastructure project that will serve New Jersey commuters.

If New York retaliates by blocking funding for these projects, New Jersey could face long-term transportation setbacks.

Political Reactions

Governor Hochul’s office dismissed Christie’s suggestion, even referencing the infamous “Bridgegate” scandal of his administration. In 2013, Christie’s allies orchestrated traffic jams at the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, allegedly as political retaliation against a Democratic mayor. While Christie denied involvement, the scandal hurt his political career.

“Not surprising to see Chris Christie opposing a plan to reduce traffic, given his widely known attempts to cause some traffic problems in Fort Lee,” Hochul’s spokesman Avi Small remarked.

Governor Murphy has remained silent on Christie’s comments. However, he has already taken legal action against congestion pricing, filing a federal lawsuit and appealing to former President Trump to intervene. Murphy has also introduced incentives for New York companies to allow their employees to work remotely from New Jersey, reducing the number of commuters entering Manhattan.

The Bigger Picture

New Jersey and New York have a long history of disputes over transportation policies, but congestion pricing has intensified the conflict. As the toll increase looms, commuters and policymakers alike are watching to see how these political maneuvers unfold.

If Murphy follows Christie’s advice and blocks New York funding, it could force Hochul to reconsider aspects of the congestion pricing plan. However, such a move risks igniting a financial and political standoff between the two states, potentially delaying crucial infrastructure projects for both sides.

For now, New Jersey commuters remain at the center of this debate, waiting to see if they will face higher tolls—or if their state government will secure a better deal.

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