New York Construction Report staff writer
The U.S. Department of Transportation and Amtrak say construction on the long-awaited transformation of New York Penn Station will begin by the end of 2027, backed by nearly $43 million in new federal grant funding.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Amtrak board special advisor Andy Byford announced the timeline Wednesday, outlining a multiyear schedule that includes selecting a master developer, preliminary design work, and environmental review before construction begins.
“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 in a statement. “Under President Trump’s direction, we will transform Penn Station into a world-class transit hub that is beautiful, safe, and clean.”
Byford said Amtrak is beginning the process of soliciting a master developer to help lead the overhaul through a public-private partnership. A formal request for proposals is expected by the end of October 2025, with a developer selected by May 2026.
The project schedule calls for preliminary design and National Environmental Policy Act work to run through 2026 and 2027, leading up to the start of construction at the end of 2027. Meanwhile, the Federal Railroad Administration will launch an 18-month Service Optimization Study this fall to explore ways of accommodating long-term passenger growth at Penn Station and across the region.
“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, the Department of Transportation, and President Trump’s administration for bringing urgency and clarity to the station’s transformation.”
Officials said the project, billed as one of the largest infrastructure efforts in U.S. history, will prioritize passenger safety, operational efficiency, and modern amenities, while creating a station designed to meet future growth.
