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Trump Administration Seizes Control of Penn Station Overhaul from MTA

Amtrak takes the lead on the $7 billion project, with federal oversight aimed at cutting costs and improving accountability.

FILE - Commuters walk through the West End Concourse to access the Long Island Rail Road and Penn Station in New York, June 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
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Overview

  • The U.S. Department of Transportation has removed the MTA from overseeing Penn Station's $7 billion reconstruction, placing Amtrak in charge under federal leadership.
  • Federal officials cited the MTA’s history of inefficiency and waste as justification for the decision, which is expected to save taxpayers approximately $120 million.
  • The project will utilize a public-private partnership model, combining renovation and potential expansion under a single federal grant to streamline efforts and minimize taxpayer risk.
  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul supported the federal takeover, stating it will save New York taxpayers $1.3 billion and deliver long-overdue improvements to the nation’s busiest rail hub.
  • The revamped oversight structure aims to create a safer, more reliable Penn Station that reflects national priorities while integrating local stakeholders like the MTA and NJ Transit.