The stub-end, underground station the railroads want to build for New Jersey Transit is estimated to cost $16 billion. It would require demolishing the block south of Penn Station and parts of two others, displacing residents and businesses, and leveling landmark-quality buildings.
The cost would exceed the $11.1 billion spent at Grand Central Madison. The underground Long Island Railroad station at Grand Central Terminal was once considered “one of the world’s most expensive transit projects.” It may also have been one of the longest. It began in 2008 and was “completed” last year. But there’s more to come.
Crain’s New York Business reported last Thursday that the MTA needs to spend $10 to $50 million more on “miscellaneous remaining work” at Grand Central Madison. This ranges from fire alarms, security concerns, escalator-related work, and leasing 25,000 square feet of retail space in hopes of becoming a retail destination.
It is a timely reminder that major construction projects often take longer, and cost more than first envisioned.
Making Penn Station completely “through-running,” would also cost billions of taxpayer dollars … but an estimated $10 billion or so less than railroads plan.
Amtrak trains are already through-running at Penn. Trains from the south continue through Penn to Boston. Trains heading south continue through Penn to several cities.
Advocates say making the entire station through-running would accommodate increased train traffic, benefit the regional economy, and bring passengers state-of-the-art transit.
The public deserves an independent review of both options. We are most interested in through-running because most plans do not require demolishing blocks of Midtown.
Ironically, the railroads’ plan would destroy the last building of the original Penn Station. A McKim Mead & White designed former powerhouse sits on West 31st Street. The State did a study a few years ago trying to show that the area around Penn was sub-standard and ripe for demolition. Ironically, they found only one building in terrible shape–the Amtrak-owned powerhouse.
Politicians may be focused on the election. But taxpayers deserve to know that the billions of public money for Penn will be well spent.
We are delighted to have more than 1300 signatures on a petition calling for an independent public review of plans for Penn Station. Here is one last chance to add your name.
ADD YOUR VOICE: If you haven’t already, please sign our petition asking for a real, independent, assessment of the way forward at Penn.