by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:45 AM ET, Wed July 19, 2023
Amtrak announced that infrastructure improvements this
summer along the busy Northeast Corridor (NEC) may cause temporary service
disruptions.
The rail company revealed that business and leisure
travelers on trains along the NEC Corridor through September 30 may experience
minor delays throughout the New England and Mid-Atlantic Regions this summer as
work along the tracks continues.
Amtrak officials said the company has committed
approximately $130 million for rail improvements, with $124 million invested
this summer. The funding was made possible by grants and other federal programs,
state and local contributions and Amtrak revenue.
Some of the projects in the works for the summer of 2023
include replacing 40 track switches throughout New York and the Mid-Atlantic, updating
25 miles of track in the Mid-Atlantic and completing over one million feet of
surfacing work across the entire NEC for high-speed rail.
“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,” Amtrak Executive Vice President Laura
Mason said.
“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,” Mason continued.
Newly adjusted train schedules account for this work and
avoid conflicts with commuter agencies, but customers may experience minor
delays, even as crews work overnight to further minimize impacts to customers.
In addition, customers should be aware that high temperatures
in the upcoming warmer summer months can also impact Amtrak operations. Extreme
heat can cause rail, bridge and overhead wires to expand.
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