U.S. Department of Transportation and Amtrak Unveil Timeline for NewYork Penn Station Transformation Project

Construction to begin by the end of 2027

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Amtrak have revealed next steps for the transformation of New York Penn Station into an iconic, world-class station. This includes the solicitation of a master developer to participate in a public-private partnership and tireless pursuit of the Trump Administration’s goals of prioritizing safety, operational and concourse functionality that accommodates passenger service growth, the overall customer experience, and beautiful aesthetics. As one of the biggest and most significant construction projects in U.S.history, USDOT and Amtrak are jointly committed to the following project schedule:

• Today (August 27, 2025): Master developer solicitation advance notice
• Fall 2025: Contracting industry stakeholder engagement
• Late 2025: Master developer solicitation release
• May 2026: Master developer selection
• Summer 2026 to End of 2027: Preliminary design and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) activities
• End of 2027: Construction initiation

In parallel to this schedule, the Federal Railroad Administration will initiate an approximately 18-month Service Optimization Study in October with a goal of studying ways to accommodate passenger service growth at New York Penn Station and the surrounding region.

“Crumbling infrastructure, bleak and dirty architecture, unnavigable hallways, and no inviting spaces for families with kids – the current state of Penn Station is unacceptable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “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.”

“The transformation of New York Penn Station is underway, and USDOT and Amtrak are strongly committed to beginning construction by the end of 2027,” said Special Advisor to the Amtrak Board Andy Byford. “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.”

In April 2025, USDOT and Secretary Duffy announced the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) bold action to protect American taxpayers by naming Amtrak, the owner of the station, as the new lead to redevelop Penn Station. The Trump Administration’s new strategy prioritizes fiscal responsibility, private sector expertise, and Amtrak’s leadership to transform New York Penn Station into a world-class facility while safeguarding taxpayer dollars. USDOT also announced the appointment of Byford as Special Advisor to the Amtrak Board of Directors for the redevelopment of New York Penn Station in May 2025. New York Penn Station is the busiest train station complex in the Western Hemisphere and welcomed more than 12 million Amtrak guests in FY24 – which is nearly 18% of total Amtrak ridership and nearly 45% of Northeast Corridor ridership. The station supports more than 1,000 daily train movements between Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT, and Long Island Rail Road across 21 tracks.