After decades of delays, New York’s most-hated transit hub is finally getting its glow up. Federal officials confirmed Wednesday, August 27th that construction on the long-awaited revamp of Penn Station will begin by late 2027.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that proposals for the project will be accepted starting in October, with a master developer selected by May 2026. Duffy stated:
Crumbling infrastructure, bleak and dirty architecture, unnavigable hallways, and no inviting spaces for families with kids – the current state of Penn Station is unacceptable…we will transform Penn Station into a world-class transit hub that is beautiful, safe, and clean. The aggressive schedule we’ve outlined will ensure we are back on track to deliver a gleaming monument worthy of New York City.
What’s Changing at Penn Station
Decades in the making and one of the biggest and most significant construction projects in U.S.history, the $7 billion makeover aims to replace the dingy underground maze beneath Madison Square Garden with a 250,000-square-foot, single-level station featuring:
- Brighter concourses with natural light
- New retailers and restaurants
- Family-friendly amenities
- Mixed-income housing above the station
The plan follows the 2021 opening of the $1.6 billion Moynihan Train Hall, which gave commuters a taste of the vision with a glass-roof atrium, new shops, and improved waiting areas…