‘A smoother ride’: Amtrak works on third phase of improvement project

Amtrak is set to complete its third phase of a track improvement project in just over a month.

News 12 Staff

Jul 24, 2019, 10:10 PM

Updated 1,731 days ago

Share:

Amtrak is set to complete its third phase of a track improvement project in just over a month.
Officials with the company say that crews are working through the night in order to give transit riders a smoother experience to and from New York Penn Station. About 650,000 riders pass through the station every day, according to Amtrak.
“Renewing infrastructure here is a continuous process,” says Amtrak spokesman Jason Abrams.
Abrams say that Amtrak is investing $150 million into its infrastructure renewal program by replacing outdated equipment.
"Some of it is already completed. Some of it is still ongoing in terms of everything from new tracks, new rails, new ballasts - which is the rocks underneath [the tracks] - new switches, ties panels,” says Abrams.
The project began in 2017. This third round is expected to be completed by Sept. 2.
Abrams says that riders can expect a more reliable community experience.
“It’s a smoother rider. It helps improve on-time performance of trains getting in on time,” he says.
The infrastructure surrounding the tracks is over 100 years old.
“It just wasn't built with the amount of the trains that come in for the capacity of people on those trains and we need to make sure that this infrastructure is equipped for not only the present, but also the future,” Abrams says.
Amtrak says that this round of improvements is part of a multiyear project to better the railroad experience.


More from News 12
1:42
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

2:19
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

0:32
Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

0:56
Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

Graffiti of former Palestinian militant Leila Khaled found spray-painted at Rutgers University

0:09
Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

Police: 2 men critically injured in Newark shooting

2:16
Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

Public warned to keep their dogs away from seals at the Jersey Shore

0:59
Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

Jersey Proud: 3 men running the length of New Jersey for ‘Dylan’s Wings of Change’ charity

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:01
New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

New Jersey water companies make plans to adapt federal ‘forever chemical’ guidelines

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12