On January 6, 2016, Governor Cuomo å_announced plans to renovate Penn Station. The plan is estimated to cost $3 billion with the money coming from both public funds and private investors. The plan is still in its design and funding stage and is being overseen by The Empire State Development Group.
On February 25, 2016, over 300 investors toured the station in hopes of having an å_opportunity to invest in the project as well as submit designs for the renovation.
Currently, Welsbach Electric is the primary electrical contractor on a preliminary phase of the upcoming major renovation. This phase will be adding a new West End Concourse level to the overburdened station. This concourse is located underneath 8th Avenue and it will allow passengers access to the Amtrak, NJ Transit and LIRR platforms on the western-most side of the current station. There will also be a new connecting corridor which will give passengers access to the commuter rail lines from the 8th Avenue NYC transit A, C and E subway lines.
Welsbach Electric has placed Joe Irizarry as the general foreman to oversee a 45- member workforce that will be responsible for the lighting and power to the West End Concourse, Connecting Corridor and also to the 8 new elevators that will give passengers access to the platforms from the new concourse. They will also be installing the lighting and power systems for the new entrances and waiting rooms located on 8th Avenue at the 31st St. and 33rd St. corners. These new entrances are just the beginning of the transformation of the United States Postal Service’s iconic James Farley Post Office. Welsbach Electric is in the process of installing two brand new 4000 amp electrical services which will power up the new project and it will also be used to power up the future renovation that is planned. This new service is located underneath the famous steps of the James Farley Post Office on 8th Avenue.
Smalls Electric and Total Electric are also working on this project. Smalls Electric has a crew of 4 electricians installing the fire alarm system and Total Electric also has a crew of 4 electricians and they are installing the Building Maintenance System.
The project falls under the jurisdiction of Local 3 Business Representative Anthony Falleo. Business Representative Falleo has installed Joe Canino as the project’s shop steward.
Completion of this first phase is scheduled for August 16, 2016.
