Although Amtrak wrested control of the project from New York officials last year, the federal government still intends to seek help from New York and New Jersey to pay for the overhaul, these people said. Private companies also are expected to pro...
Although Amtrak wrested control of the project from New York officials last year, the federal government still intends to seek help from New York and New Jersey to pay for the overhaul, these people said. Private companies also are expected to provide significant sums, they said, though what those companies will get in return has not been disclosed. Sean P. Duffy, the U.S. transportation secretary, has said that construction to transform the notoriously dingy station into a “world-class travel hub” will begin in just over 18 months. But Amtrak officials have revealed few details of the plan to accomplish such a drastic turnaround so soon. Andy Byford, the Amtrak executive in charge of the project, told elected officials from Manhattan this week that it was too soon for him to divulge details of the financing plan embedded in the proposal that he recommended to Amtrak’s board of directors, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the Manhattan borough president, said. Mr. Hoylman-Sigal was one of several elected officials who criticized Amtrak for not being more transparent about the process for rebuilding the station, which stretches two full blocks beneath Midtown. “It’s a little confusing to say the least,” he said. The officials who were critical, including Representative Jerrold Nadler and Assemblyman Tony Simone, Democrats from Manhattan, gathered a few weeks ago to demand that Mr. Byford provide more information about the competing proposals for the Penn Station overhaul and whether the bidders had connections to the Trump administration. Mr. Nadler contended that Amtrak had conducted a “back-door process” with “zero accountability” and “a complete lack of transparency.” submitted by /u/GBV_GBV_GBV [link] [comments]
