New York to develop new train hall for Amtrak, LIRR

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a $1.595 billion infrastructure plan Sept. 27 to develop a new train hall serving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Amtrak.

 

Gov. Cuomo’s plan entails the complete renovation of the historic James A. Farley Post Office into “a world-class transportation hub.”

The new train hall is expected to include a redesigned LIRR concourse at Penn Station, LIRR ticketing and waiting areas and redesigned A,C, E and 1,2, 3 subway lines at Penn Station-34th Street.

“New York’s tomorrow depends on what we do today, and the new [train hall] will be a world-class 21st century transportation hub,” said Gov. Cuomo. “With more than twice the passengers of all JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports combined, the current Penn Station is overcrowded, decrepit, and claustrophobic. The [new train hall] will have more space than Grand Central’s main concourse. This is not a plan—this is what’s going to happen. People are going to walk through this station and recognize that this is New York.”

Gov. Cuomo announced the same day that a developer-builder team including three companies has been selected: Related Companies, Vornado Realty LP and Skanska AB. The team is set to redevelop the Farley Building to make way for the new 255,000-square-foot train hall.

Officials say Related, Vornado and Skanska have guaranteed the project will be completed on time and the three companies will pay the state $600 million “in recognition of the development opportunity.” The project is also receiving support from Empire State Development, which is contributing $570 million, as well as funding totaling at $425 million from Amtrak, LIRR, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and federal government sources.

“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York State is rebuilding, replacing, and expanding vital infrastructure in exciting and fiscally responsible ways,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “The new Penn-Farley Complex will have office space, retail stores and restaurants and will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.”

The construction of the new LIRR corridor is expected to cost an estimated $170 million. Officials say MTA is in the process of issuing an RFP for the preliminary design of Penn Station improvements to pre-qualified consulting, and a contract is expected to be awarded by the end of 2016.

“The new Farley Train Hall will streamline travel into and through the region for the 230,000 LIRR daily passengers and millions of subway riders through the vastly improved Seventh and Eighth Avenues stations,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Tom Prendergast. “Gov. Cuomo has turned what for decades was merely rhetoric about investing in infrastructure into reality, and the improved MTA travel experience and resulting regional economy boost will be felt long into the future.”

The new train hall is expected to have nine platforms and 17 tracks. The governor said the developer-builder team will also construct 112,000 square-feet of retail locations and nearly 588,000 square-feet of office space within the hall. Officials say preconstruction work is set to begin this fall, with an expected completion by December 2020.

Gov. Cuomo also announced that MTA will begin an extensive renovation of its Seventh and Eighth Avenue subway stations and start redesigning the LIRR’s adjacent 33rd Street concourse at Penn Station. Construction on the LIRR concourse and the two stations is set to end by or before completion of the Farley Train Hall’s construction.

Representatives say the redesign entails nearly tripling the width of the corridor to decrease traffic congestion and allow for higher ceilings, making room for improved lighting, new way-finding, ticketing and informational systems.

“We applaud Gov. Cuomo’s leadership in transforming the Farley Post Office building into a state-of-the-art rail station,” Amtrak Board Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said. “This project will allow for enhancements at Penn Station that will significantly improve the customer experience for its many users. Taken together with the infrastructure improvements being advanced under the Gateway Program, Amtrak is committed to working with New York State and other key stakeholders to advance the investments befitting America’s busiest train station.”

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