April 19 (UPI) – The Federal Railroad Administration has taken control of the renovation of $ 7 billion from Penn Station Rail Hub from New York from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the city.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy announced this decision on Thursday and said it would save taxpayers to save around $ 120 million.
“New York City deserves a Penn station which reflects American size and is safe and clean,” Duffy said in a press release.
“The history of ineffectiveness, waste and mTTA management also meant that a new approach is necessary,” added Duffy. “By putting taxpayers first, we make sure that each dollar is expected judiciously to create a transit center all Americans can be proud.”
The Trump Administration pleads for a public-private partnership model for the renovation of Penn Station to reduce potential financial damage to American taxpayers while reducing the costs of approximately $ 120 million.
The Federal Railroad Administration is taking charge of the project with federal surveillance and removing the New York MTA from the renovation.
Amtrak has Penn Station, which serves more than 10 million passengers each year, and the Trump administration has determined that the US Ministry of Transport and Amtrak can work together to renovate the railway station.
The new leadership of the project will ensure a “safe, modern and effective transport center for the country’s financial capital,” said Duffy
The New York MTA in November 2024 received a federal subsidy of $ 72 million for the development of projects, but a lower allowance in a separate financing allowance allows US taxpayers of $ 120 million, according to US DOT.
“During several meetings with President (Donald) Trump, I asked that the federal government will finance the overhaul of Penn station for a long time,” said Hochul in a statement on Thursday. “”
“Obviously, this effort has succeeded,” added Hochul.
She thanked Trump and transport secretary Sean Duffy for taking responsibility for the $ 7 billion project.
“This is a major victory for New Yorkers,” said Hochul, “and the use of federal funds enables New York taxpayers of $ 1.3 billion that would have been necessary for this project otherwise.”
