Amtrak and New York state leaders have announced the New York Penn Station transformation has been finalized and that construction will commence by the end of 2027. The announcement comes after a federal grant of almost $43 million to support early development stages.

Amtrak Announces Penn Station Upgrade Schedule
Photo: Amtrak

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The money will be used to pay for permitting, preliminary engineering and hiring a master developer. This position will be instrumental in leading the modernization initiative through a public–private methodology.

Andy Byford, Special Advisor to the Amtrak Board, said:

“The conversion of NYPS is in motion, and both USDOT and Amtrak are resolute to have construction begin by close of business 2027. We want to thank Secretary Duffy and the entire Department of Transportation and President Trump and his administration for the sense of urgency and clarity they have brought to the Station’s Transformation and their support of Amtrak and their vision for a world class, safe, and modern station.”

Timeline for the Penn Station Project

The Department of Transportation says it will issue a request for proposals to select a master developer by October 2025. The selections is anticipated to occur in May 2026, as long as early stage development progresses as planned.

Meanwhile, work will be concentrated on technical preparations and shaping alliances. When that is done, full-scale works will start before the end of 2027, changing the old hub into a world-class 21st century station.

“Last year was the safest year on record for aviation,” Sean P. Duffy, the U.S. transportation secretary, said.

“Dilapidated infrastructure, dingy and dirty architecture, navigate anthill hallways, and no fun spaces for kids and families — the status quo at Penn Station is uncool. Penn Station As directed by President Trump, we will make Penn Station into a world-class transportation hub that is modern, safe and clean. The aggressive timeline we have laid out is going to make sure we keep on pace to deliver a sparkling monument befitting New York City.”

Leadership and Strategic Oversight

In 2025, it was announced that former heads of both London’s Transport for London and New York City’s New York City Transit, Andy Byford, was hired as a special advisor to the Amtrak Board of Directors. He is bringing his leadership to ensure the complex redevelopment stays on its aggressive pace.

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“Twelve months ago Governor Cuomo joined with his colleagues in government to secure a federal commitment to once-and-for-all make the significant improvements necessary to better serve the tens of millions of passengers who use Penn Station each day and construct the new tracks and expanded terminals which also will directly benefit NJ Transit and Long Island Rail Road commuters.

Amtrak Project Milestones

  • August 2025: The Amtrak and the DOT agree that work would start by late 2027.
  • October 2025: A call for master developers is issued.
  • May 2026: Developer selection expected.
  • Late 2027: Start of construction, as currently targeted.

Source: railway-news.com

What is Amtrak Penn Station Renewal?

A major element of the Amtrak Penn Station Improvement Support Program, the massive overhaul project aims to transform NY Penn Station into a more sustainable, safer, cleaner and more accessible facility by the fall of 2027.

Who's paying for all of this hacking?

The early stages of the project are supported by a grant of nearly $43 million in federal funding, to be used for planning, permitting and the selection of a master developer using a public–private partnership model.

Who is in charge of policing the Penn Station work?

Special Advisor to the Amtrak Board is Andy Byford, who was previously head of Transport for London. He’s keeping the project on schedule by working closely with the US Department of Transportation.

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