April 21, 2021
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ICYMI: Governor Cuomo Announces Reconstruction Alternatives for Iconic New Penn Station as Part of Empire Station Complex |
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MTA, Amtrak and New Jersey Transit Announce New Options to Transform Existing Penn Following Strategic Yearlong Re-Envisioning Initiative
Outlined in Governor Cuomo's 2020 State of the State Agenda, Empire Station Complex Envisions an Integrated, World-Class Public Transportation Rail Hub for New York City in Alignment with the Gateway Program
New Penn Reconstruction Options Follow President Biden's Unveiling of the American Jobs Plan with Historic Investments in U.S. Infrastructure
View Renderings of the Iconic New Penn Station Here
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled new reconstruction options for transforming Penn Station-the nation's busiest transportation facility-into a world-class, 21st century transportation hub as part of the proposed Empire Station Complex. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT are working together to establish a framework that would unify the separate railroads' concourses into one state-of-the-art open, light-filled space through two fundamental approaches following a yearlong strategic re-envisioning process, supported by FXCollaborative and WSP. "The Empire Station Complex is a transformative project that will support and deliver on the long-delayed Gateway vision for the entire East Coast and enhance the passenger experience in North America's busiest transportation hub. Together with our partners in New Jersey and at Amtrak, New York State is moving quickly to advance this comprehensive plan," Governor Cuomo said. "These reconstruction alternatives provide a framework for a new and improved Penn Station that serves as an appropriate doorway to a world-class city. Every single day, we get closer to the end of COVID-19 and the beginning of a new post-pandemic economy, and this project will be a cornerstone of the revitalized New York City that we must build together." President of MTA Construction & Development Janno Lieber said, "Moynihan Train Hall proves that, under Governor Cuomo, we are again dreaming - and building - big. Creating the Empire Station Complex is the next step, and it will alter the experience for hundreds of thousands of subway, LIRR, NJT, Amtrak and - soon - Metro North commuters." The existing Penn Station served 600,000 passengers daily prior to the pandemic and is critical for sustaining rail service and connecting people to jobs throughout the Northeast region, yet much of the current station is substandard, overburdened and aesthetically unpleasant. The reconstruction of Penn Station will result in an interconnected, welcoming and modern station worthy of New York. This iconic project, in combination with the new tracks and platforms to be built as part of Penn Station Expansion, will be capable of accommodating the future volume of customers using both the existing Penn Station and the newly expanded facility. Ridership is expected to grow to 830,000 daily users in 2038, about 54 percent of whom will be MTA customers using LIRR, Metro-North and the subway, and 42 percent NJ TRANSIT customers, with the balance being Amtrak customers. "As we work with our partners to advance the Gateway Program's Hudson Tunnel Project, developing a vision for expanding and transforming Penn Station is the next big step we must take," said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia. "We look forward to a robust collaboration with Governor Cuomo, Governor Murphy, MTA, and NJ TRANSIT as we plan this generational investment for the future of America's busiest transportation facility." "NJ TRANSIT looks forward to continuing to work with our partners at Amtrak and the MTA to advance expanding and improving Penn Station to enhance the transit experience for our customers," said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. "Rail ridership will ultimately return to pre-pandemic levels, and we need a Penn Station that provides the space, functionality and modern amenities that accommodates future growth and delivers for New Jersey commuters." During the yearlong strategic re-envisioning, the MTA, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak examined a number of options for the reconstruction of existing Penn and the result is two fundamental approaches. Key elements of the vision - under either alternative - include:
Two-Level Alternative When an alternative is selected, the MTA, Amtrak and NJ Transit will work with federal partners on an Environmental Impact Statement for Penn Expansion, together with other federally-required processes, all in concert with ongoing public review. |
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