Skanska, AECOM, SOM mark completion of NY Penn Station LIRR renovations
The ribbon has been cut on the $414 million renovation of New York Pennsylvania Station’s Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Concourse. The project, awarded to Skanska by Penn District Station Developer LLC in 2020, aimed to modernize and widen LIRR’s 33rd St. train hall corridor while maintaining the station’s daily operations and train service.
"In order to best accommodate and enhance the commuting experience for the 600,000 passengers that utilize LIRR’s 33rd St. corridor daily, deciphering a path to improving the station’s circulation and traffic flow without disrupting daily train service was paramount,” said Michael Viggiano, executive vice president of Skanska’s east coast civil operations. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the completion of this project and to have played a crucial role in reconstructing one of New York City’s most highly trafficked transit hubs.”
The 27-month design-build project encompassed both the design and construction of the reimagined concourse, with a widened corridor, raised ceiling heights, upgraded lighting and wayfinding, new digital information screens, improved mechanical and electrical systems and new architectural finishes, among other station enhancements. The renovation also improves safety and ADA access from the street to the concourse via a new elevator on 33rd St., as well as from the concourse to the platforms with rebuilt stairs and handrails, new enclosures for fire protection and a replacement elevator.
In partnership with Skanska, AECOM served as designer of record, providing design, engineering, vertical transportation and project management services and worked closely with the architect, SOM, to expand the height and width of the LIRR concourse.
“The most heavily used concourse of America’s busiest train station has been entirely transformed, both visually and functionally. The improvements make commuting more convenient while also allowing this transit hub to have the capacity and accessibility to meet New York’s growing transportation needs,” said Thomas Prendergast, AECOM’s New York Metro executive. “We’re proud to have worked with the MTA and our partners to broaden and revitalize the concourse while also minimizing impacts to LIRR commuters and the station’s operations.”
“We worked closely with the design-build team to create a new center of gravity for Penn Station and the LIRR,” said SOM Partner Colin Koop. “The concourse design introduces a clear connection to Seventh Avenue and simplifies the flow of foot traffic between the street, the subways and the LIRR—helping travelers easily navigate the station, all in an expansive space filled with light.
Construction on the project began in January of 2021 and the team achieved substantial completion in March 2023.
Skanska, AECOM and SOM recently partnered to deliver the first phase of the New York Penn Station complex modernization—the new East End Gateway, an iconic new entrance on the east side of Penn Station at 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue. Skanska also led the construction of Moynihan Train Hall, where SOM served as the lead design firm, which transformed the historic Farley Building into a landmark extension to Penn Station. Both projects completed in 2020.
