New governor backs NYC traffic fees

New York's new governor provided critical support Friday for a plan by New York City's mayor to reduce traffic by charging motorists fees in part of Manhattan.

Gov. David Paterson said he supports the recommendations of the New York City Traffic Mitigation Commission. That plan, if accepted by city and state lawmakers, could draw $4.5 billion in mass transit improvements to help reduce traffic.

Paterson, a Democrat from New York City, backed a congestion pricing zone that would charge motorists $8 to use streets in the lower half of Manhattan during the day on weekdays, except on some holidays.

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who resigned this week, also backed a congestion-pricing plan but wasn't in office long enough to see it through.

Bloomberg has just a few weeks to persuade the City Council and Legislature to approve the plan.

Final approval by state lawmakers would give the city access to $354 million in federal money to implement the plan, Bloomberg said.

Paterson said the plan works for New York City residents, as well as commuters from the suburbs, by providing money for mass transit improvements while reducing traffic and air pollution.