New Jersey

Long-Delayed Commuter Stairway Opens at Penn Station

What to Know

  • A long-delayed stairway that will improve access for rail commuters at Penn Station opened Thursday
  • The new entrance is part of the first phase of the redevelopment of the historic James A. Farley Post Office
  • It was initially scheduled to open last year

The first phase of Moynihan Station, a long-delayed stairway concourse that will improve access for rail commuters at Penn Station, has finally opened.

New Jersey Transit announced Thursday the West End Concourse entrance was open at 31st Street and Eighth Avenue, across the street from Penn Station.

The stairway will give commuters a new exit and entrance point at the western end of Penn Station, to ease overcrowding on the platforms. It also offers a digital sky and large windows so commuters can see the trains below.

Commuters say it can take up to 10 minutes just to get from the platforms to the main station area in the morning.

The new space greets riders with signs directing people to various tracks and large LED screens displaying schedule information. City attractions like the American Museum of Natural History and Central Park also are touted.

The $300 million concourse is part of the first phase of the redevelopment of the historic James A. Farley Post Office, and initially was scheduled to be opened last year.

The building eventually will be named the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Train Hall in honor of the late Democratic U.S. senator from New York.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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