New York, NY —

Albany leaders have struck a deal to move forward with Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan, but on their own time table. The Assembly and Senate leaders have agreed to appoint a commission which will study how to implement a fee on drivers entering Manhattan.

REPORTER: But they have until March to actually vote on the plan. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver would only say a congestion-fighting plan of some kind is inevitable.

SILVER: My understanding is the mayor's quite optimistic about this plan achieving success in Washington, the governor is optimistic about it, I have no reason to be any less optimistic than they are.

REPORTER: The deal requires the commission appointed by the mayor, governor and lawmakers, to look at congestion pricing and if any alternatives are considered to make sure they reduce traffic by the same amount, which is over 100,000 cars a day. New York is submitting the proposal to Washington to compete for federal funds.

Mayor Bloomberg says there's no way to know, however, if the plan is still eligible because the feds wanted legislation from the state on Monday.