Amtrak faces potential legal action from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) because its delays have pushed the $2.9 billion Penn Station Access Project back three years, from 2027 to at least 2030.
This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
Photo: wikipediaAmtrak’s Role in the Penn Station Access Dispute
MTA leaders accuse Amtrak of repeatedly missing scheduled track outages, which has slowed work on Metro-North’s Bronx expansion. Jamie Torres-Springer, MTA’s construction chief, said Amtrak committed to 30 annual outages but rarely met that target.
In 2022, only two of ten planned weekend closures occurred. By 2023, the railroad provided just five of 38 planned 55-hour shutdowns. These shortfalls, MTA claims, wasted valuable resources and extended construction timelines.
Because of the mounting frustration, the MTA commissioned an independent review that blamed Amtrak for most of the disruption. The agency demanded a recovery plan by November 12 or threatened to escalate with legal proceedings.
The total budget remains at $2.867 billion, though rising costs could increase risk exposure. So far, contractors have completed just 39 percent of the project, highlighting the urgency to resolve the dispute.
Amtrak Responds and Defends Its Investments
Amtrak denies wrongdoing, emphasizing that it remains committed to completing the Penn Station Access Project efficiently. It claims to have invested $140 million and expanded its workforce by 190 percent to support the MTA.
The company also cites more than 55-hour track closures and several long-term outages already delivered. Moreover, Amtrak says it updated worker-safety rules to help MTA contractors perform more work safely and quickly.
Despite disagreements, both sides acknowledge the project’s transformative value. The Penn Station Access Project will connect Metro-North riders from the Bronx to Manhattan’s West Side in under 30 minutes through four ADA-accessible stations: Hunts Point, Morris Park, Parkchester/Van Nest, and Co-op City.
If completed on schedule, the expansion will ease congestion, cut travel times, and strengthen regional mobility. But further delays could undermine one of New York’s largest commuter-rail investments in decades.
Source: www.thetravel.com
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Why is Amtrak facing criticism from the MTA?
The MTA claims Amtrak failed to provide enough track outages, slowing construction and delaying the project’s opening by at least three years.
What is the goal of the Penn Station Access Project?
It aims to connect the Bronx directly to Penn Station via four new Metro-North stations, improving access to Manhattan’s West Side.
Could Amtrak face legal action over the delays?
Yes. The MTA warned that if Amtrak doesn’t present a revised plan by November 12, it may pursue legal steps to enforce compliance.
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