BRONX, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced the state and federal government are now on the same page when it comes to expanding Metro-North service in the East Bronx.

Cuomo said the federal government has signed off on a proposal to restart the procurement process to construct new stations in Co-op City, Morris Park, Parkchester/Van Nest and Hunts Point.

"This is happening, it's happening, and it's happening now," Cuomo said.

During a news conference in the Bronx, Cuomo said the post-pandemic recovery of the city and state depends on thinking big when it comes to infrastructure, noting the project will dovetail with the current expansion and renovation of Penn Station.

Cuomo said the Co-op City station will cut the commute into Penn Station from 75 minutes to 25 minutes. The commute from Hunts Point to Penn is expected to go from 45 minutes to 16 minutes.

The stations are part of the MTA's Penn Station Access Project, which will use existing Amtrak rail lines to bring Metro-North trains to Penn Station. 

Cuomo said the project is expected to be completed in 2025.