December 5, 2024

On November 15, 2024, the US Department of Transportation awarded nearly $1.5 billion for 19 projects along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (NEC). This funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered through FRA’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (Fed-State NEC) will further repair and replace vital NEC infrastructure to provide faster, safer, and more reliable service for travelers and commuters.

Amoung the awards were two which will directly benefit improvements for passengers traveling into and out of New York's Penn Station complex.

Up to $72,548,687 was awarded to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the New York Penn Station Reconstruction project.

The proposed project is for project development activities to renovate and modernize New York Penn Station in New York City. Scope elements include environmental review and other project development activities to support the reconstruction of Penn Station New York. This project will enable safer and more efficient station operations by increasing concourse capacity and access both within and outside the station, improving ventilation and fire safety, and installing user-friendly wayfinding. The result will be a reduction in the state of good repair backlog along the Northeast Corridor.

The funds are expected to pay for 18 new escalators and 11 elevators to train platforms at the station, and will increase the number of street entrances at the station to 20 from 12. It will also fund a 30,000-square-foot public plaza, and include a new underground connection to the B, D, F, M, N, R, Q and W trains at 34th St.-Herald Square.

The remaining $24 million of the $96 million design phase will be split three ways between the states of New York and New Jersey and Amtrak.

See concept renderings below ( ALL - Credit MTA)

Up to $71,977,500 was awarded to Amtrak for the Gateway - New York Penn Station Capacity Expansion Project

The proposed project is for project development activities in support of expanding the track and platform capacity of New York Penn Station in New York City. Scope elements include environmental review and other project development activities to support the capacity expansion of Penn Station New York. This project will boost capacity and expand services for passengers, including the addition of track and platforms, concourses, and amenities. The result will accommodate projected demand and capitalize on the additional capacity enabled by the Gateway Program of projects, including the additional track capacity from the Hudson Tunnel Project.