Updates, outages planned for Amtrak Harrisburg Line
(WHTM) — Amtrak has announced a series of changes coming to its Harrisburg Line, connecting Harrisburg and Lancaster.
The changes come as part of a $122 million project to update the company’s rail infrastructure in Pennsylvania. Plans include installing 43 track miles of rail, replacing aging wood ties with longer-lasting concrete ties, and cleaning and refreshing 226,500 feet of gravel track bed.
“Amtrak is making historic infrastructure investments through projects like this one, which will
replace obsolete 1950s-era rail infrastructure which is at the end of its useful life,” Amtrak
Executive Vice President of Capital Delivery Laura Mason said in an announcement of the project. “We’re taking a fresh approach and expediting this important project with a combination of single and full track outages that will improve work efficiencies and reduce the duration of customer impacts.”
According to Amtrak, the project began March 15 and will require significant planned outages on April 8 between Nov. 21 as the work is being completed.
During this time, Amtrak’s Keystone Service trains will not operate between Lancaster (LNC) and Harrisburg, Pa. (HAR) from approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays. Amtrak expects this to affect approximately 450 daily customers.
As a substitute, buses will be made available with four daily round trips. Amtrak says customers using the buses should plan to add about 45 minutes to their normal train commute.
The company says there will also be various schedule changes Fridays through Sundays as well as on weekday mornings and evenings. Customers can check for schedule updates on Amtrak.com or the Amtrak app.
The Amtrak Pennsylvanian, which runs daily from between New York, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh will not be affected by the outages. These trains will be offering additional seating options.
Overall project completion is expected in December. Customers may still experience some delays after the track outage is complete on November 21.
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