On Thursday, April 17th, news broke that the Penn Station renovation project, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority undertaking, will become a federal endeavor.
Sean Duffy, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, revealed the news on Twitter/X: “Penn Station is getting a makeover done right! When @Amtrak and @USDOT step up and work together, taxpayers save MILLIONS. We’re building quickly, safely, and efficiently for the future. New York commuters deserve the best!”
According to The New York Times, the federal government’s seemingly abrupt plan is an attempt to save $120 million by putting Amtrak, the owner of Penn Station, at the helm of the project. At this time, the publication further reveals that US DOT’s vision for the future of one of the busiest train stations in the world is not yet clear.
As of 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy moved forward to tackle the $7 billion Penn Station revitalization, which was set to include a complete redevelopment of the train station, 10 new neighboring skyscrapers, and even a 30,000-square foot plaza.
This news comes on the heels of the federal government’s proposal to move the neighboring Madison Square Garden across NYC’s 7th Avenue so that the train station can undergo a neoclassical makeover.
Since the federal government has ordered the contentious congestion pricing plan in New York to come to an end, something that the MTA and Governor Kathy Hochul have refused, this news might not feel like a shock to those following along. (Since its January 2025 inception, the congestion pricing plan has generated over $100 million, according to a March 2025 report from the MTA.)
As for what this means for New Yorkers moving forward, there is still plenty to be determined. At the time of publication, 5:35pm on April 17th, the MTA and Governor Kathy Hochul have yet to comment on the transition.
This is a developing story. As more news becomes available on the plans for Penn Station and what commuters should expect in the future, we’ll keep you updated.