Amtrak Unveils Ambitious Plan for Penn Station Rebuild, Seeking Partner with "Trump Time" Timeline.
The beleaguered redevelopment project of New York's iconic Penn Station is back on track, thanks to a high-stakes partnership deal between Amtrak and the Trump administration. The nation's railroad service has enlisted the services of a seasoned developer, dubbed as the "master developer," who would spearhead the ambitious rebuild project, aiming for completion by December 2027.
In an effort to expedite the process, referred to as "Trump Time," U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed enthusiasm about the unprecedented pace. Amtrak's President Andy Byford emphasized that it was essential to collaborate with knowledgeable partners in order to bring the monumental undertaking to fruition.
To avoid expanding Penn Station's footprint south to accommodate more tracks and platforms, officials have opted for alternative approaches, such as upgrading the track level to facilitate increased train service upon the completion of the new Hudson River tunnels. Despite President Trump's pledge to terminate the Gateway project, Amtrak officials remain unfazed about potential delays, citing a robust study on through-running at Penn Station.
The Federal Railroad Administration has announced plans to commission a comprehensive examination into through-running at Penn Station, allowing MTA and NJ Transit commuter trains to share tracks and operate on each other's property. Advocates argue that such an overhaul would enable capacity additions at the train hub without necessitating an expansion, while also aligning with Mayor Bill de Blasio's vision for more efficient transit infrastructure.
Amtrak is eager to incorporate design elements such as a single-floor passenger concourse, new entrances, and abundant natural light into its rebuild plan. The project may potentially involve relocating Madison Square Garden, which will have its permit expire in 2028. While the private partner would be instrumental in financing the work, Amtrak officials anticipate significant government backing in the form of grants and loans.
The City Club of New York's president, Layla Law-Gisiko, highlighted the need to prioritize effective transportation solutions over costly skyscrapers near Penn Station, emphasizing that an organic approach was essential. The announcement has sparked excitement among transit advocates, who now eagerly await the possibility of improved capacity at the city's beloved train hub.
The beleaguered redevelopment project of New York's iconic Penn Station is back on track, thanks to a high-stakes partnership deal between Amtrak and the Trump administration. The nation's railroad service has enlisted the services of a seasoned developer, dubbed as the "master developer," who would spearhead the ambitious rebuild project, aiming for completion by December 2027.
In an effort to expedite the process, referred to as "Trump Time," U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed enthusiasm about the unprecedented pace. Amtrak's President Andy Byford emphasized that it was essential to collaborate with knowledgeable partners in order to bring the monumental undertaking to fruition.
To avoid expanding Penn Station's footprint south to accommodate more tracks and platforms, officials have opted for alternative approaches, such as upgrading the track level to facilitate increased train service upon the completion of the new Hudson River tunnels. Despite President Trump's pledge to terminate the Gateway project, Amtrak officials remain unfazed about potential delays, citing a robust study on through-running at Penn Station.
The Federal Railroad Administration has announced plans to commission a comprehensive examination into through-running at Penn Station, allowing MTA and NJ Transit commuter trains to share tracks and operate on each other's property. Advocates argue that such an overhaul would enable capacity additions at the train hub without necessitating an expansion, while also aligning with Mayor Bill de Blasio's vision for more efficient transit infrastructure.
Amtrak is eager to incorporate design elements such as a single-floor passenger concourse, new entrances, and abundant natural light into its rebuild plan. The project may potentially involve relocating Madison Square Garden, which will have its permit expire in 2028. While the private partner would be instrumental in financing the work, Amtrak officials anticipate significant government backing in the form of grants and loans.
The City Club of New York's president, Layla Law-Gisiko, highlighted the need to prioritize effective transportation solutions over costly skyscrapers near Penn Station, emphasizing that an organic approach was essential. The announcement has sparked excitement among transit advocates, who now eagerly await the possibility of improved capacity at the city's beloved train hub.
. I think it's great that Amtrak is working with a partner to get the job done ASAP 
. The idea of upgrading tracks and not having to expand south is a smart move, imo 
. I'm intrigued by the plan for abundant natural light in the passenger concourse – it'll definitely make the space feel more welcoming 
. Still, I wish they'd focus on making sure the trains run efficiently instead of just throwing money at it 
. Let's hope this partnership brings some positive changes to Penn Station 
i mean whats up with trump time?! apparently its all about getting things done ASAP which sounds cool but what about accuracy? we dont wanna have a disaster like in the past with penn station 
anyway im glad amtrak is putting their foot down for single-floor concourse and natural light tho 
its gonna be a big change but idc if they relocate maddon square garden who cares bout that 
what i really want to see is more capacity added so we dont have train chaos every morning 
I mean, 2027? That's like, forever away from now... and what's up with "Trump Time" anyway? Sounds like a made-up phrase to me 
At least they're acknowledging that it won't be some massive expansion south, which is a good start. But still, can we just get this done already? 
it's crazy to think that we might have an upgraded version of the station with a single-floor concourse and plenty of natural light - it sounds like a whole new level of travel experience! and i love how amtrak is prioritizing capacity additions over expansion, it's all about finding sustainable solutions. plus, the fact that they're trying to incorporate design elements that'll make the station more user-friendly is a major win in my book 
. Let's just hope they don't skimp on natural light and entrance design or it'll be all downhill from there 
like, what about all the delays and setbacks we've seen so far? it's gonna be a miracle if they finish by 2027 without any major hiccups 
anyway, at least it's good to see some action being taken... or is that just a fancy way of saying "more money for Trump" 
.
and crony capitalism 
. Why is Amtrak playing ball with the feds when they should be negotiating on behalf of the American people? It's all about lining the pockets of "Trump Time" developers 
.
Amtrak's got big plans to revamp Penn Station, and I think it's essential they prioritize the passenger experience - that single-floor concourse sounds like a game-changer for those crazy busy trains! 
still, it's cool to see some progress happening on the transportation front. Maybe this partnership with Trump Time will actually work and we'll get that much-needed upgrade 
I'm not sure if it's gonna work out, but at least they're trying something new. One thing I do know is that the focus on upgrading tracks and tunnels is a good move, it'll definitely help with train service. 
Let's hope this whole thing works out for everyone involved! 
. And the idea of MTA and NJ Transit trains sharing tracks is genius 
! That would definitely help with capacity and efficiency.
. Madison Square Garden needs to stay where it's at... that iconic place shouldn't be messed with 
. Fingers crossed this whole thing comes together without any major hiccups 
. On a more serious note, have you seen the size of Madison Square Garden? If they relocate it, I'm gonna be like "what's next? moving Central Park?" 
But seriously, this project could be a game-changer for NYC's transportation system. And hey, if we're lucky, maybe they'll even throw in some free Wi-Fi and decent food at the concourse 
.
and who's paying for it? the taxpayers? because that's what these politicians do best, take our cash 
! They had this incredible Korean BBQ stand and I swear, their kimchi fries were life-changing 
. Can't wait to see the new single-floor concourse and natural light pouring in 
. The idea of upgrading the track level and utilizing the new Hudson River tunnels is genius 
️ like Penn Station is already a mess and now they're talking about tearing down Madison Square Garden 
what if it gets pushed back again? And can we pls just have some actual timeline updates instead of "Trump Time" 
the gov't needs to get its act together on this one