I have been unable to copy and post the Amtrak announcement but would like to note each of the items. The dollar amount for each item of the award has never been revealed? The full amount of the award is $450M and several states (?) received an additional $345M for NEC improvements. (locations not specified). This will support more commuter operations, NEC Regional, 6 more Acela RTs by 2018, and 15 Acela RTs by 2022.
Metuchen freq converter station— This will increase its capacity by 25%. However no mention of the date of the base line capacity amount. Amtrak has invested many dollars into increasing its reliability and capacity the past 2 FYs out of regular budget and ARRA funds. Amtrak still has had several low voltage incidents this year. This award work is supposed to provide enough capacity for 2022 operations.
New substations Newark and Trenton. Support higher speeds and level of service on route.
Catenary upgrades Newark - Philadelphia. Work will speed up both Amtrak and Commuter rail. Intermediate support structures will be installed 24mile New Brunswick – Trenton to cut in half the span between supporting poles. Shorter spans will allow speeds up to 160 MPH. Appears support poles are already close enough Trenton – Morrisville? Note: this part o
Have edited the title to reflect actuall award that has been finalized.
LaHood announced final awards and it is 450M for just the NEC upgrade. An additional 295M for NYP west end track upgrades and for Harold interlocking separation with a 2 track tunnel.
The most important part of this award will be IMHO the Harold interlocking separation. At present there are many delays there due to trains slightly off schedule.
LIRR is building a 4 track tunnel under Harold and Sunnyside yard to allow access to Grand Central Terminal. That will reduce the number of LIRR trains going thru Harold to NYP.
With fewer LIRR to NYP MNRR IS PLANNING TO RUN SOME . Conn trains to NYP. By building a Harold separation tunnel all trains from Hell Gate line will not have to slow or go thru Harold. I believe that this will speed NEC Bos - NYP TIMEKEEPING MORE than the CAT and track work south of NYP will speed up the south end timekeeping?. The 19 miles from NYP - New Rochell should drop from ~35 minutes to 18 minutes [ all trackage will be 60 - 90 MPH ] a saving of 17 minutes
1. On the Amtrak web site under reports and then under PRIIA SUBMISSIONS. Look at report of intermim assements to improve trip times on NEC.
2. Table A-2 shows estimated time savings. Listed for New Rochelle - NYP is a total of 7 minutes.
3. That report did not anticipate separating Hell Gate line from Harold interlocking. I saw the tunneling figures as a 5 minute savings since Harold at present has a 25 mph speed limit and almost all Amtrak trains slow anticipating a stop since LIRR controls that intersection. So that totals to 12 minutes.
4. Other documents [ cannot find ] stated minimum speeds 60 MPH with max of 100 NRO - NYP for much of the Hell gate line.
5. As an aside table A-2 shows 12 minutes savings NYP - PHL. some which is part of this award.
But dropping from 35 minutes to 18 could mean more trains per hour, too, which would mean better service, too. It’s not just the timing, it’s also what the time can do.