The Trump administration has confirmed its intention to pursue renaming Pennsylvania Station in New York City, marking a shift from earlier ambiguity on the issue. In a letter sent Wednesday to the leaders of three Senate committees, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy identified the renaming of Penn Station as a priority for the administration. The letter did not specify what the new name would be, but President Donald Trump previously indicated that people had suggested naming the station after him.

The Department of Transportation assumed control last year of a major renovation project at Penn Station, the busiest transportation hub in the United States. Amtrak selected Penn Transformation Partners in May as the master developer for the overhaul, which is projected to cost between $7 billion and $8 billion. The renovation plans, which include a new grand entrance on Eighth Avenue that brings natural light into the main concourse, make no mention of a name change but do feature a large interior engraving bearing President Trump’s name.

In addition to the renaming, Duffy’s letter called on Congress to authorize an additional $1 billion in grants for the station’s design and reconstruction. He also requested increased funding for railroads and urged lawmakers to pass legislation enabling Amtrak to collect payments from developers of properties around its stations instead of having those developers pay property taxes to local or state governments.

Andy Byford, Amtrak’s executive overseeing the project, has stated the agency is indifferent about whether the station’s name is changed. He also announced that construction work on the long-planned renovation is expected to begin by the end of next year.

Penn Station was originally built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and opened in 1910 but was demolished in the early 1960s to make way for Madison Square Garden. The current station, located beneath the Garden, is owned by Amtrak, although the majority of passengers are served by the Long Island Rail Road and New Jersey Transit commuter lines.

The renaming proposal has prompted criticism from local lawmakers. Representative Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat from Manhattan, condemned the plan as a "hostile takeover" and dismissed the idea of naming the station after President Trump. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also a Democrat from New York, criticized what he called an effort to satisfy the president’s ego, arguing that the focus should be on rebuilding the station to meet the needs of commuters.

Separately, Duffy’s letter advocated for prioritizing motor vehicle traffic over bicycle infrastructure, urging Congress to limit funding for bike lanes and even support their removal if they contribute to congestion.

The Department of Transportation did not immediately respond to requests for further comment on the renaming initiative.