Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA, an affiliate of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority), the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) are issuing this notice to advise the public of the availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) (pursuant to 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §1501.6 and §1506.6) for the Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program (the Project). The purpose of the Project is to reduce traffic congestion in the CBD in a manner that will generate revenue for future transportation improvements, pursuant to acceptance of the Project into FHWA’s Value Pricing Pilot Program.
In compliance with applicable regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality and FHWA pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), respectively, 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508 and 23 CFR Part 771, the Final EA was prepared to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of, and identify any mitigation measures for, the Project, in consideration of public and agency input, and responds to comments received from the public and agencies on the EA that was published in August 2022. FHWA intends to apply Title 23 United States Code (USC) § 139(l), Limitations on Claims, to any decision it may issue with respect to the proposed public transportation project.
As a project requiring FHWA approval, the Project is subject to the requirements of Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (now codified in 23 U.S.C. §138 and 49 U.S.C. §303), and the FHWA implementing regulations, 23 CFR Part 774. In accordance with the applicable regulations, and as documented in the Final EA, the FHWA makes a de minimis impact finding for the Section 4(f) use of Central Park and the High Line by the Project.
Availability of the Final EA and Draft FONSI
The official 30-day public availability period for the Final EA and draft FONSI for the Project will begin on May 12, 2023 and will end on June 12, 2023. The draft FONSI and Final EA will be available to the public online at mta.info/CBDTP, and in hardcopy at TBTA, NYSDOT, and NYCDOT offices and FHWA division offices in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In-person assistance with accessing the documents online will be available at specific libraries throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. For the list of locations where the documents are available, visit mta.info/CBDTP or contact the CBDTP Team at 646-252-7440.