New York’s plan to charge most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan’s congested business districts cleared a crucial hurdle on Friday when a federal judge denied New Jersey’s emergency request to stop the new tolling program before it starts.

New York officials said they intended to move ahead with the long-planned and much-debated congestion pricing program beginning on Sunday.

”Everybody knows this is a huge, huge weekend,” said Janno Lieber, chief executive of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “We’re really gratified.”

He added, “After untold numbers of lawsuits and lots of fighting in the press, the time for debating and lawsuits is over. It’s time to get to work making this new initiative a success for New York.”

But a lawyer for New Jersey indicated on Friday evening that he intended to try to appeal the judge’s ruling before Sunday.

“We respectfully disagree with the trial court’s decision not to halt New York’s congestion pricing program before it goes into effect on Sunday,” said Randy Mastro, the lawyer. “We will continue to fight for the people of New Jersey by seeking emergency relief from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.”