MTA Kicks Off Tree Clearing for Penn Station Rail Expansion in Pelham Neighborhood

PELHAM, NY (October 24, 2025) — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to start tree removal and site preparation work next week along a Metro-North Railroad right-of-way in the Pelham area, marking a key step in the long-awaited Penn Station Access project.

The work, set to begin on or about Monday, October 27, 2025, will focus on First Street between Monterey Avenue and Corona Avenue. It involves creating a laydown area for construction staging, including upgrades to tracks, signals and power cables. The initial preparation phase is expected to last about one week, with the overall project targeted for completion before year’s end. The laydown area will remain in place until spring 2026, after which the site will be restored and replanted with new shrubs and trees.

This phase includes building a switch between existing tracks near Monterey Avenue and First Street, part of broader efforts to extend Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line to Penn Station.

The $450 million initiative, now in construction, will add four new accessible stations in the Bronx at Hunts Point, Morris Park, Co-op City and Parkchester/Van Nest. It aims to cut travel times from the Bronx to Manhattan by up to 50 minutes, provide one-seat rides to Westchester and Connecticut, and rehabilitate 19 miles of track along Amtrak’s Hell Gate Line for improved reliability.

Construction hours will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with First Street remaining open to traffic and the south-side sidewalk accessible. Work will occur only on the north side, involving clearing and brush removal that may generate noise and activity for nearby residents.

To address community concerns, Metro-North has agreed to screen the entire work area with fencing to reduce visual and noise impacts. The agency will adhere to local noise ordinances and avoid starting work before 8 a.m., despite potential earlier crew arrivals under union rules.

All trees along the affected stretch will be removed, including previously identified dead and hazardous ones, to enhance safety and appearance. Replanting, targeted for spring 2026, will feature a mix of evergreen trees for year-round screening and low-maintenance shrubs to prevent future interference with train operations. This marks the first time Metro-North has committed to replanting after such a project.

The Penn Station Access effort broke ground in December 2022 and is slated for completion by 2027. It includes bridge rehabilitations, reconfigured interlockings and modernization of signal, power and communication equipment. Benefits encompass reduced commutes, economic growth in the East Bronx, a second Metro-North route into Manhattan, less traffic and air pollution, and better on-time service for Amtrak passengers.

The Village of Pelham has collaborated with Metro-North on site screening, noise mitigation, tree removal and replanting plans. An advisory to residents noted the MTA’s engagement and outreach team is available for questions via email at PSAOutreach@mtacd.org, a 24/7 hotline at 347-263-7837, or the project website at https://www.mta.info/project/penn-station-access.

“We understand this work may cause some temporary inconvenience, and we are grateful for your patience as this important transit improvement project moves forward,” said Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen.

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.