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Amtrak calls for MTA to partner on the Penn Station rebuild it once led

MTA Chair Janno Lieber has declined Amtrak's invitation to partner on the New York Penn Station project. Lieber described Amtrak's planning as "simply bizarre" in a letter sent to Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The project remains under a pre-development agreement with Penn Transformation Partners.

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What changed

MTA Chair Janno Lieber has officially declined the partnership offer and criticized Amtrak's planning process.

Live updates

  1. MTA Chair Rejects Amtrak Partnership for Penn Station Rebuild

    MTA Chair Janno Lieber has declined Amtrak's invitation to partner on the New York Penn Station project. Lieber described Amtrak's planning as "simply bizarre" in a letter sent to Amtrak and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The project remains under a pre-development agreement with Penn Transformation Partners.

    What's confirmed:

    • Halmar and Skanska operate as the master developers under the name Penn Transformation Partners.
    • Amtrak signed a pre-development agreement with Penn Transformation Partners for the project.
    • MTA Chair Janno Lieber declined to join as a partner in the rebuild.
    • Janno Lieber described Amtrak's planning for the transformation as "simply bizarre".
    • Amtrak aims to begin construction by the end of 2027.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The pre-development agreement is valued at $7-8B.
    • The design and outreach work will run through 2027.
    confidence 95%

  2. Amtrak and PTP Sign Agreement for Penn Station Overhaul Amid MTA Tension

    Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners have finalized a Pre-Development Agreement to design the New York Penn Station project. While Amtrak has invited the MTA to partner on the rebuild, MTA Chair Janno Lieber has criticized the approach. Groundbreaking is scheduled by the end of 2027.

    What's confirmed:

    • Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners, a joint venture led by Halmar and Skanska, signed a Pre-Development Agreement for the New York Penn Station transformation.
    • The project is scheduled to break ground by the end of 2027.
    • Amtrak senior adviser Andy Byford informed MTA Chair Janno Lieber that the federal agency will proceed with the project regardless of MTA cooperation.
    • The Pre-Development Agreement phase will be used to finalize design and establish a fixed price for the work.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • MTA Chair Janno Lieber accused the Trump administration of trying to pull a fast one on the agency.
    • Janno Lieber accused Andy Byford of gamesmanship regarding a leaked letter.
    confidence 90%