Amtrak is advancing infrastructure improvements on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). Annual track improvement work continues as part of a long-term effort to ensure the railroad operates at a level of peak performance.
“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,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President, Capital Delivery Laura Mason. “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.”
Amtrak has committed approximately $130 million for rail improvements, of which over $124 million will be invested during the summer. Funding comes from Amtrak grants and other federal programs, state and local contributions and Amtrak revenue.
Specifics of the work include:
- Replacing 40 track switches throughout New York and Mid-Atlantic regions
- Updating 25 miles of track in the Mid-Atlantic Region
- Completing more than 1 million feet of surfacing work across the entire NEC for high-speed rail
The improvements are expected to continue through Sept. 30. For each project, Amtrak crews are working overnight to minimize impacts to customers. However, Amtrak says there may be minor delays throughout the New England and Mid-Atlantic Regions because of the track work. Amtrak notes high temperatures in the upcoming summer months can impact its operations, as extreme heat can cause rail, bridge and overhead wires to expand. As a safety measure, Amtrak enacts temporary heat restrictions as needed. The restrictions require locomotive engineers to operate trains at lower speeds than under normal operating conditions.
