The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has recently announced a shift in leadership for the Penn Station Reconstruction project. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has recently announced a shift in leadership for the Penn Station Reconstruction project
Amtrak, which owns Penn Station, will lead the project with support from the USDOT. Credit: Xackery Irving/Shutterstock.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), under the direction of Secretary Sean Duffy, will now oversee the efforts, replacing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

USDOT’s Strategic Shift in Penn Station Management

Amtrak, which owns the station serving over ten million passengers annually, will take charge of the project. This change is expected to save taxpayers approximately $120 million, according to the FRA’s calculations.

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Previously, the MTA had received a $72 million Federal-State Partnership (FSP) Program grant to support the station’s redevelopment.

Amtrak to Lead the Reconstruction with USDOT’s Support

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber responded positively to the shift, recalling the successful 33rd Street Concourse project, the first major Penn Station renovation in decades. “We finished it on time and under budget. We plan to work with Amtrak and the USDOT to ensure the future of the station meets everyone’s needs,” Lieber stated.

With the revised funding plan, Amtrak will now seek a master developer to manage both the reconstruction and possible expansion of Penn Station. The FRA also announced a reduction in Amtrak’s federal grant for project development, enabling a more streamlined approach to the station’s renovation.

The USDOT is pushing for a public-private partnership for this project, hoping to leverage private sector expertise and resources. This model aims to reduce financial risks for taxpayers while ensuring the efficient completion of the station’s redevelopment.

In December 2024, Amtrak selected a joint venture of Skanska, Walsh, and Herzog to handle pre-construction activities for the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project, designed to enhance the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in the United States.

Source: www.railway-technology.com

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