The Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO) is taking advantage of its summer decrease in ridership to perform critical track and rail maintenance. PATCO started the project July 8 by implementing a new schedule that adds two to seven minutes between train arrival times to allow work on the project to accelerate while trains operate along a single track.
The $6 million upgrade project involves replacing nearly three miles of rail and other track material between the Ferry Avenue and Broadway Stations that has been in use since 1968. The project will be completed in two phases, with the first phase involving the reconstruction of a 7,234-foot section of eastbound track during the first four weeks of the project. The second phase of the project will see reconstruction of the westbound track and will involve a second change in schedule to ensure the work continues. PATCO says the track outage will be used to perform additional maintenance work and minimize the need for future trackwork.
"During the summertime, PATCO typically has fewer riders between July 4th and Labor Day," said John D. Rink, PATCO general manager. "To minimize the impact on our customers, we have explored different options, and the revised timeframe seems to be the best choice for completing this important infrastructure project."
The maintenance project was originally planned to occur over 27 weeks and involve weekend outages. PATCO adjusted the work to an eight-week timeframe after evaluating the number of passengers using the service, as well as projected future users.
"It is important for PATCO to be ready, with new tracks and less trackwork for the anticipated increased ridership in the fall," Rink said. "This is crucial for ensuring a smooth and efficient commute."
