Amtrak Reports Empire Corridor Will Return To Normal Service At NY Penn Station

New York City, June 20, 2018 –

In a telephone press conference for the media, Amtrak officials reported that the Infrastructure Renewal Program on the Empire Corridor project currently underway is on target. Amtrak’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Scot Naparstek and Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Gardner took questions and led the discussion on this year’s project. Overall, Amtrak’s plan is to modernize stations, infrastructure and equipment on the Northeast Corridor.

The work is scheduled for completion by Sept. 4, when upstate trains will switch back to Penn from Grand Central Terminal (normally the home of Metro-North).

The most dramatic part of the plan was the June 14, 2018 removal of the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge that connects Manhattan and The Bronx for trains headed to Albany-Rensselaer station. One of the world's largest floating cranes, the Left Coast Lifter, was used to left the swing bridge and load it onto a barge to repair the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. Included in this overhaul are the bridge’s electrical and mechanical systems. The crane was last used for the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project.

Amtrak is replacing track in the Empire Tunnel, as well as replacing cross ties, grade crossings and 8,000 feet of continuous rail, including the track between the tunnel and the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge.

Meanwhile, NY Penn Station is undergoing other improvements.

Track 19 is currently undergoing a complete gutting and replacement and replacing three turnouts and conduct total ballasted track and wood tie track replacement.

The restrooms are being refreshed, upgrading the air conditioning in the station's concourse area, lactation suites for nursing mothers installed, and has receiving construction bids for Amtrak Ticketed waiting room and a refreshing of the ClubAcela suite.

The big announcement was the arrival of the replacement of the current Acelas after 20 years in 2021 and the replacement of the current single-level Amfleet Is that are over 40 years old and operating on FRA waiver.

                              By Joseph M. Calisi ©2018 All Rights Reserved

NYC Transit's IRT #1 Line-7th Avenue Local Station Rehab Continues

Northern Manhattan, 2011 - MTA NYC Transit's station overhaul program rolls on. With information taken from a press release, IRT #1-7th Avenue line stations are getting a much-needed face lift. The elevated stations between 242nd Street/Van Cortland Park terminal and Dyckman Street station are the targeted stations for rehab. Currently, passengers are being asked to use one of the following options to complete their trips: use the IND 'A' line towards the nearby 207 Street terminal, ride northbound past any affected station and take a southbound to their stop or use a free shuttle bus.

This capital construction work is part of NYC Transit's ongoing $11.2 billion Capital Rebuilding Program aimed at upgrading and maintaining track, stations and signal systems.
The stations which really haven't seen a major overhaul in decades are getting the required face lift with new canopies, platforms among other refurbishments. It seems that old man time has caught up with these stations.

My photos posted are of the northbound Dyckman Street station undergoing an upgrade.