Amtrack has revealed that it is upgrading the infrastructure of the Northeast Corridor in a bid to future-proof the railway.
The programme of improvements work is set to get underway this summer as part of annual track improvement work and also a long-term commitment to ensure that the railway can perform at the highest level.
Once work is underway, there may be some disruption for customers however, the benefits created by the improvements will see greater reliability and better performance achieved, enhancing passenger experience.
Amtrak Executive Vice President, Capital Delivery Laura Mason said: “Updating railroad infrastructure is a fundamental component of our plan to deliver a new era of rail by modernizing the Amtrak fleet, building new bridges and tunnels, revitalizing stations and redefining the customer experience for the modern era,”
“We’re grateful to our partners for their cooperation and flexibility as we advance these critical projects to achieve a state of good repair and enhance the overall Amtrak customer experience.”
Rail customers travelling with Amtrack on the Northeast Corridor over the summer up to the 30th of September may experience some minor delays in a number of locations in the New England and Mid-Atlantic Regions, due to the work.
Around $130 million has been invested in rail improvements by Amtrak, of which more than $124 million will be utilised during this summer period.
The funding has been made up via:
- Amtrak grants and other federal programs
- State and local contributions
- Amtrak revenue
The programme of work will see:
- The replacement of 40 track switches across New York and Mid-Atlantic regions
- The updating of 25 miles of track in the Mid-Atlantic Region
- Over one million feet of surfacing work completed across the entire Northeast Corridor for high-speed rail
- The adjustment of train schedules in order to accommodate the work and avoid conflicts with commuter agencies.
Each of the above-mentioned projects will see Amtrak engineers work through the night in a bid to create less disruption for passengers.
Customers travelling with Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor should note that during the warmer summer months, high temperatures can also affect the corporation’s services. Extreme heat creates issues for railways due to the expansion of rail, bridge and overhead wires. Amtrak will action temporary heat restrictions if necessary in order to run the railway as safely as possible and may see some services running at lower speeds than usual.
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