Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners Sign Pre-Development Agreement for New York Penn Station Transformation Project

Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners (PTP) announced they have finalized a Pre-Development Agreement (PDA) for the historic overhaul of New York Penn Station. During the PDA phase, Amtrak, led by Special Advisor Andy Byford, and PTP, a joint venture led by Halmar and Skanska, will finalize the project’s design and gather stakeholder input, which will then inform and establish a firm, fixed price to deliver the work.

The PDA marks a major milestone in transforming the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere into a new world-class station. The project is moving ahead on schedule and will break ground by the end of 2027.

Amtrak and PTP are advancing a comprehensive transformation that will create a modern, spacious, and fully accessible Penn Station, dramatically improving the visitor and customer experience. Since 2024, the Penn Station Working Advisory Group (SWAG) – comprising more than 50 organizations representing local stakeholders, community groups, transit riders, elected officials, and partner commuter agencies – has provided ongoing guidance to ensure the new Penn Station reflects the needs and priorities of the 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors. The PDA phase will run from summer 2026 through 2027, which will include Amtrak and PTP conducting robust community engagement and provide ample opportunities for public comment.

Funding

The transformation of Penn Station is estimated to cost between $7 billion and $8 billion, with the final costs determined during the PDA phase. Byford has stated there will be no fare hikes or surcharges passed on to NJ TRANSIT, MTA, or Amtrak riders to pay for this project. The project will be funded primarily through federal funding, private financing, and equity raised by PTP.

Though a final cost has not been determined, cost control measures are already in place. The PDA phase costs are strictly capped before the final construction price is locked in. This is why bidders were asked to submit specific financial metrics during the procurement process to ensure the project will deliver the best use of taxpayer investments. This process is consistent with major construction projects worldwide and in the United States.

To date, USDOT has invested $243 million to support the early stages of the project. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation is investing nearly $5 billion into Amtrak’s Northeast Rail Corridor to revitalize the nation’s major rail hubs, including Penn Station.

Project Details

The new Penn Station will feature a single-level concourse of stone and bronze with soaring ceilings, and all public activity, including amenities, bars, restaurants, shops, and customer services, will be consolidated on one floor. Madison Square Garden will remain in place, and throughout construction, the arena and all railroads will continue to operate. The plan also includes new entry points and passenger pick-up and drop-off locations, the elimination of loading and unloading at 31st Street and 8th Avenue, and the beautification of the surrounding streets and sidewalks to improve the pedestrian experience.

Specifically, the project will:

Construct a grand entrance on 8th Avenue to the new train hall by removing the Infosys Theater and building a classic New York art deco façade dedicated exclusively to the station
Transform cramped, decrepit walkways with open, beautiful concourses
Expand track capacity, including the introduction of at least limited through-running on the regional rail network
Enable new retail, make it easier for visitors to move around, and deliver other passenger experience improvements, all while maintaining the iconic Madison Square Garden with new cladding for a classic look
Upgrade the station’s existing subterranean structure by removing scores of columns at the track and platform level and improving lighting, signage, and passenger circulation

Master Developer

Halmar and Skanska are 50-50 development partners and 45-55 construction partners on the project. The project will be 100 percent union-built.

For more information about the redevelopment of Amtrak’s Penn Station, visit www.penntransformation.com.

-via Press Release