Penn Station Expansion Deemed Essential for Increased Train Capacity
A new study concludes that expanding Penn Station's footprint is necessary to accommodate the planned doubling of train traffic under the Gateway Project.
- The joint study by Amtrak, NJ Transit, and the MTA ruled out the feasibility of adding tracks beneath the existing Penn Station or implementing through-running.
- The expansion is part of the broader Gateway Project, which includes constructing a new tunnel under the Hudson River to increase train capacity from 24 to 48 trains per hour.
- Plans to expand south of Penn Station, involving the demolition of 'block 780,' have faced criticism from local residents and preservationists.
- Through-running, while popular among transit advocates, was found to be impractical without significant infrastructure changes and would not meet the capacity goals.
- The expansion proposals are advancing alongside ongoing upgrades to the existing Penn Station, with cost assessments yet to be determined.
New York Daily News 
Gothamist 