Metro-North expansion will give Conn, riders direct link to Penn

In five years, Connecticut Metro-North riders will have direct service to Penn Station, officials announced.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved a contract for the Penn Station Access Project, which will provide direct Metro-North Railroad service from the Bronx, Westchester and Connecticut to Penn Station and Manhattan’s west side. The $2.87 billion project is expected to be completed in 2027.

These additions are expected to “drastically reduce travel times” for people living and working in the East Bronx, an area of New York currently without any rail service, Metro-North said on Wednesday. The contract was awarded to Halmar International LLC/RailWorks.

“Improved service on our rail system, with an eye on the future, means a transportation system that works for everyone when it comes to quality of life and economic development for residents and businesses in Connecticut and New York,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement.

“It means more transit-oriented development, more people out and about, and more opportunities for tens of thousands of people to get to their jobs every day and earn a living. This is the latest joint venture between Connecticut and New York showing how important our relationship is for our residents and the success of the region.”

Metro-North said it will build four new New York stations in Co-Op City, Morris Park, Parkchester/Van Nest and Hunts Point. This service will save East Bronx riders up to 50 minutes in each direction to Penn Station, and up to 75 minutes in both directions for Connecticut riders.

Riders on MetroNorth’s New Haven Line with destination on the west side will save up to 40 minutes a day since they would no longer have to travel through Grand Central Terminal.