U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the New York Penn Station “Transformation” project will begin by the end of 2027.
Duffy, joined by special advisor to the Amtrak Board and former president of the New York City Transit Authority Andy Byford, announced the U.S. Department of Transportation would provide Amtrak with nearly $43 million in federal grant funding as a way to “jumpstart” the project’s schedule.
“Crumbling infrastructure, bleak and dirty architecture, unnavigable hallways, and no inviting spaces for families with kids – the current state of Penn Station is unacceptable,” Duffy said. “Under President Trump’s direction, we will transform Penn Station into a world-class transit hub that is beautiful, safe, and clean. The aggressive schedule we’ve outlined will ensure we are back on track to deliver a gleaming monument worthy of New York City.”
In order to meet the 2027 timeline, the grant will help the Amtrak Board solicit a master developer that will help transform Penn Station into a public-private partnership model, Byford said.
“The transformation of New York Penn Station is underway, and USDOT and Amtrak are strongly committed to beginning construction by the end of 2027,” Byford said. “We’re grateful to Secretary Duffy and the entire Department of Transportation, as well as President Trump and his administration, for bringing urgency and clarity to the Station’s Transformation and their confidence in allowing Amtrak to carry out their vision for a world-class, safe, and modern station.”
Officials said the formal process of finding a master developer will start by the end of October and a selection will be made by the end of May 2026.
Duffy announced in April that the USDOT and Amtrak were taking control of the Penn Station overhaul from New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and withdrew $72 million in grant funding. Duffy said at the time Amtrak owns the station and MTA is incapable of delivering major infrastructure on time or on budget. Later, in May, Duffy announced Byford’s appointment as special advisor to the Amtrak Board of Directors for the redevelopment of Penn Station. Byford also previously served as commissioner for transport in London and CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission.