Amtrak Invests in NEC Infrastructure
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of Amtrak
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Amtrak is investing $260 million in infrastructure improvements along the Northeast Corridor during the summer.
These investments are a 109% increase from last summer’s infrastructure work, according to a news release. This work comes as part of Amtrak’s goal of doubling its annual ridership to 66 million by 2040. Customers may experience minor delays while track renewal work is taking place.
Amtrak Executive Vice President, Capital Delivery, Laura Mason said, “In addition to our ongoing catenary inspection and repair program, we’re renewing our tracks, signals and other railroad infrastructure across the Northeast Corridor and Harrisburg Line, while also advancing major projects for new tunnels, bridges, trains and other historic investments. . . Thanks to new, innovative approaches and the support of our partners, we’re transforming the way we work to advance these upgrades in a more effective and efficient manner, enabling us to complete more work in less time.”
Amtrak has listed out its project specifics. These include replacing more than 75,500 railroad ties and 32 track miles of rail, improving the track stability of more than 170 miles of track, and renewing more than 35 track switches. This work is funded through Amtrak grants, federal programs, state and local contributions, and Amtrak revenue.
Other projects that are currently underway or will start later this year are the Harrisburg Line Track Renewal Project, the Portal North Bridge, and the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program.
Previously, Amtrak worked with Conrail, PATH and NJ TRANSIT to complete “construction replacing four power transmission circuits into one of Amtrak’s critical substations, Kearny Substation 41, in New Jersey.” These circuits provide power to the NEC for Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT.
