October 1, 2026
The new Gateway tunnels are moving ahead—but where will those trains go once they reach Manhattan?
The start of the Gateway Tunnel Project on Monday drew praise from Governor Hochul and other New York and New Jersey politicians. But a Tuesday Daily News editorial pointed out that the tunnel is still slated to end under Block 780 south of Penn Station. If it does, the homes and historic buildings on the block will be demolished, despite Governor Hochul’s pledge to save them.
The editorial states that Amtrak still plans “Penn South,” a nearly $20 billion, dead-end, underground station for New Jersey Transit that requires destroying Block 780.
The Conservancy joined Re-Think NYC and other groups two years ago, calling for an independent study of “through-running,” which would increase capacity in Penn by allowing New Jersey and Long Island trains to go through Penn to other stops. Amtrak trains have always done this. As the editorial notes, through-running would bring Penn up to state-of-the-art standards used in major cities in this country and in Europe. There would be no need to threaten people’s homes and City history.
Andy Byford, who is in charge of Penn Station improvements for Amtrak, has completed through-running projects in other cities and says he does not want to touch Block 780. Byford has also stated publicly on several occasions that an independent, state-of-the-art, through-running study would be done. Where is it? Efforts to date leave many open questions, but tunnel construction and plans to break ground on the station are proceeding with dispatch.
By the time the Gateway tunnels are completed, there likely will be a new cast of public officials. We can’t be lulled into thinking that Block 780 is safe, or that New Yorkers will get the modern transit we deserve.
Amtrak needs to be clear with the public. Where will Gateway trains ultimately end? How will through-running be incorporated into the new Penn Station? And when will the public see an independent, state-of-the-art study that fully examines the alternatives?
We were promised a modern, state-of-the-art station. We better get one.
Peg Breen, President
The New York Landmarks Conservancy