Donald Trump promised Americans he would fix the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.
The President is moving full steam ahead with that pledge.
And Sean Duffy just made one stunning announcement that’s going to change train travel forever.
Big news for America’s busiest transportation hub
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that Andy Byford has been appointed as Special Advisor to the Amtrak Board of Directors for the redevelopment of New York Penn Station.
This major appointment signals President Trump’s commitment to rebuilding America’s infrastructure with efficiency and excellence.
Byford, a seasoned transportation professional with extensive experience managing major metropolitan public transportation systems in New York City, Toronto, London, and Sydney, will be tasked with overseeing the complete redevelopment of Penn Station.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, America is building again,” Secretary Duffy announced. “We’re thrilled to have Andy oversee the redevelopment and modernization of this vital transit hub. Andy shares our dedication to keeping costs down and completing this project on time. Together we’ll work to deliver a brand-new Penn Station that is safe, clean, and worthy of the American people.”
Trump’s team takes control from New York bureaucrats
The Trump administration has shown it means business when it comes to fixing America’s infrastructure without the typical government waste and delays.
Last month, Secretary Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration would protect American taxpayers by removing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from leading the Penn Station project.
Instead, Amtrak, backed by the Department of Transportation, will now lead this critical infrastructure initiative with Byford at the helm.
Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven Bradbury emphasized the business-minded approach being taken with the project.
“Consistent with President Trump’s leadership and savvy approach to real estate, we’re ensuring accountability for critical infrastructure projects,” Bradbury said. “By vesting responsibility with Amtrak Board Special Advisor Andy Byford, USDOT is setting the stage for a transformational public-private investment which will revitalize Penn Station as a spectacular, safe, and reliable passenger rail gateway.”
A public-private partnership that makes sense
The Penn Station project will be executed through a master developer public-private partnership. This approach will minimize risks and maximize results, ensuring that Amtrak and the Department of Transportation deliver a world-class Penn Station that commuters, travelers, and tourists deserve.
This partnership model reflects President Trump’s business acumen and his administration’s commitment to getting projects done efficiently without the typical government bloat that often plagues infrastructure projects.
Byford will report directly to the Amtrak directors and coordinate closely with the Department of Transportation as he oversees the Penn Station redevelopment.
Making Penn Station great again
For decades, Penn Station has been a national embarrassment. Once a grand entrance to America’s greatest city, it deteriorated into a cramped, confusing maze that frustrates the more than 600,000 passengers who pass through it daily.
Under the Trump administration’s leadership, the redevelopment of Penn Station aims to:
- Renovate and modernize the entire station
- Increase concourse capacity and access
- Enable safer and more efficient station operations
- Accommodate passenger service growth
- Deliver a world-class experience for all users
The appointment of Byford, who has been with Amtrak for several years in a Senior Vice President role, signals that the administration is serious about delivering results for the American people.
President Trump’s commitment to “build big, build beautiful, and build efficiently” is being put into action with this major infrastructure project that will impact millions of Americans.
This is just one of many examples of how the Trump administration is focused on rebuilding America’s infrastructure and restoring national pride in our public spaces.
