Governor Kathy Hochul announced the Biden Administration has awarded of $6.76 billion for downstate passenger rail projects that are critical to ensuring the region’s economy continues to thrive and expand. Under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants announced today by the Federal Railroad Administration, four key New York projects that renew and expand the region’s rail network will receive the following Federal investments.
- Gateway Program: Hudson Tunnel Project Systems and Fit Out ($3.80 billion)
- Metro-North Railroad Penn Station Access with Four New Stations in the Bronx ($1.64 billion)
- Rehabilitation of East River Tunnels to Penn Station ($1.26 billion)
- Pelham Bay Bridge Replacement ($58 million)
“President Biden’s ambitious transportation agenda is paying dividends for New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “New York State is investing billions in the MTA and in infrastructure statewide, including in projects that directly benefit Amtrak. This latest funding will help us deliver modern, safe, and reliable public transportation to underserved communities, while boosting the regional economy.
Summaries of the rail projects follow.
Hudson Tunnel Project
The Hudson Tunnel Project will construct a new two-track tunnel under the Hudson River and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel, which was severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy, to improve reliability, resiliency, and redundancy for hundreds of thousands of daily passengers who travel across the Hudson River, and allow for much-needed repairs on an essential stretch of the Northeast Corridor. More information about the project is available at the Gateway Program’s homepage.
Metro-North Penn Access
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is overseeing construction of four new Metro-North stations in the East Bronx and track and infrastructure enhancements that will enable the expansion of Metro-North’s New Haven Line to Penn Station and bring Amtrak-owned infrastructure to a state of good repair. The new route will dramatically reduce travel time to and from the East Bronx, which currently lacks rail service. Residents will save up to 75 minutes over current subway and bus connections and creates a direct commuter rail route between the Bronx and Westchester and Connecticut. It also gives Metro-North a second terminal in Manhattan, a critical backup, and is the largest expansion of Metro-North since it was founded 40 years ago. More information about the Penn Station Access project is available from the MTA’s Penn Station Access homepage.
Rehabilitation of Amtrak’s East River Tunnels to Penn Station
Crews will rehabilitate two Amtrak-owned rail tunnels between Queens and Penn Station that were damaged by salt water flooding during Superstorm Sandy. The tunnels are used by all Amtrak service to New England and hundreds of Long Island Rail Road trains per day along with non-passenger NJ Transit and Amtrak trains traveling to Sunnyside Yard for storage. They will be also used by Metro-North trains when Penn Station Access service begins in 2027. The new tunnels will feature improved track that is directly fixed to the tunnel, all-new components, and enhanced climate resiliency.
Pelham Bay Bridge Replacement Project
Amtrak has proposed a final design to replace the existing 115-year-old two-track Pelham Bay Bridge in the Bronx with a new structure that will facilitate higher speed travel and fewer bridge openings.
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