CSAO (NJ) Port Reading Secondary Being Upgraded?

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Just recently I noticed a couple of new things along the West end of the Port Reading Secondary in Piscataway and Edison New Jersey.

At the grade crossing of Stelton Road, it seems that a mast has just been put up. It very closely resembles a signal mast. The only other signal from the Stelton Road crossing to the western end of the line is a signal that only faces westbound trains about 3 miles to the West (which is about 1 mile from the line’s western end at CP Bound Brook).

I noticed another one about a quarter of a mile east of the Talmadge Road overpass which is a little over 2 miles to the east of the Stelton Road crossing.

It’s worth noting that the secondary only has 2 signals governing its entire 16 mile route, one of which is mentioned above and the other is toward the line’s eastern end in Woodbridge which only faces eastbound trains.

Does anybody know if this secondary is being upgraded?

2

Possibly masts for PTC radio. Does the Port Reading Secondary have hazmat traffic.

3

Yea, basically the only traffic the line sees are unit trains, whether it’s an intermodal train, unit trash train, or unit ethanol train and also the locals serving the 6 or 7 businesses along the western half of the line.

These masts have something facing both directions of travel (but it is covered), it seems like a place to mount a signal head but I have no idea lol