VIDEO AND PHOTOS: MTA Chair and CEO Lieber Unveils Signs at Entrance to Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone

View Video B-Roll of Unveiling

View Video of News Conference

View Photos of Reveal and News Conference

Hours before the nation's first congestion pricing program is set to begin, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber was joined by elected officials, transportation advocates and other supporters of reducing gridlock and pollution, while improving mass transit, to unveil signs informing motorists that they are entering the Congestion Relief Zone.

Also joining in the celebration were members of the MTA that worked for years to develop the program, many of whom brought their children and friends to witness the moment.

Central Business District Tolling Program, New York's form of congestion pricing, goes into effect this Sunday, Jan. 5, at midnight. It is a first in the nation approach to reducing car traffic in one of the world's most heavily gridlocked areas. Motorists using E-ZPass will pay a $9 toll to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during the peak period and $2.25 overnight. Tolls for those not using E-ZPass are higher.

Motorists with valid E-ZPass tags will automatically be given a peak period discount at the Lincoln, the Holland, the Queens-Midtown, and Hugh L. Carey Tunnels. The MTA encourages motorists who are not enrolled in E-ZPass to enroll today for toll savings and tunnel discounts.

The toll is expected to reduce traffic in the Manhattan Central Business District by approximately 80,000 fewer vehicles entering the zone daily, leading to improved traffic flow, better air quality, and reduced traffic accidents.

Money generated by the toll will provide $15 billion toward MTA capital projects, improving New York's quality of life and economy by making subway stations accessible to all in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, purchasing hundreds of new commuter rail cars and zero emissions buses, and upgrading subway signals on key corridors, enabling more frequent and more reliable subway service.

For more information on toll rates, and to find out whether you qualify for a limited number of discounts or exemptions, the MTA encourages you to visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info

More information about the toll zone, toll rates, and E-ZPass benefit is available on the FAQ webpage.

More details on the projects moving forward with congestion pricing funds are available on the MTA's website.