Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Amtrak is channeling a $122 million investment into Pennsylvania to upgrade the tracks along the Harrisburg Line, spanning Lancaster to Harrisburg. This initiative aims to enhance the travel experience by boosting ride quality and comfort, fortifying service reliability, and performing essential maintenance to maintain the tracks in optimal condition.
“Amtrak is making historic infrastructure investments through projects like this one, which will replace obsolete 1950s-era rail infrastructure which is at the end of its useful life,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President of Capital Delivery Laura Mason. “We’re taking a fresh approach and expediting this important project with a combination of single and full track outages that will improve work efficiencies and reduce the duration of customer impacts.”
To expedite the replacement of the old rail infrastructure, Amtrak plans to halve the initially projected two-year timeline. The upgrade includes replacing wooden rail ties with concrete ones, which are more durable and have a lifespan of 60 years compared to 25 years for wood ties.
The project kicked off on March 15, necessitating a series of track outages from April 8 to November 21. During these outages, Keystone Service trains between Lancaster and Harrisburg will be substituted with bus services during specific hours on weekdays, with adjustments to the schedule also occurring on weekends and at various times throughout the week. Passengers are encouraged to consult Amtrak.com or the Amtrak mobile app for the latest travel schedules.
Despite the weekday service disruptions impacting fewer than 450 daily Keystone Service passengers, alternative bus transportation will be provided. The Pennsylvanian trains, running between Pittsburgh and New York City, will continue to offer daily midday service through the project area. The comprehensive project is slated for completion in late December.
In partnership with PennDOT and in coordination with Norfolk Southern and affected freight shippers, Amtrak is taking steps to mitigate the impact on operations and ensure the continued success of its services.
The project’s benefits are manifold, including the installation of 43 miles of new rail, over 113,000 concrete ties, and the refurbishment of 226,500 feet of track bed to enhance track stability and drainage. It also promises economic benefits to the local community, with more than 250 employees supporting local businesses. The materials used, such as concrete ties and ballast, are sourced locally from Bear, Delaware, and Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, respectively.
Schedule adjustments include bus substitutions for certain Keystone Service trains and various timing changes throughout the project. Amtrak advises customers to stay updated on schedules via its website or mobile app.
This effort is part of Amtrak’s broader commitment to modernizing the Northeast Corridor’s rail infrastructure, which has not seen significant renewal since the 1970s. The project represents a leap in Amtrak’s infrastructure renewal efforts, with the goal of refreshing over 55 miles of track within the next year—an 85% increase over its historical annual average.
Amtrak, a pioneer in American rail travel for over five decades, continues to innovate and invest in the future of rail, enhancing the travel experience, promoting economic growth, and advancing sustainability through its ambitious capital program, bolstered by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act of 2021.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
