Expectations low, commuters brace for a 'Summer of Hell'

<p>A massive two-month repair project launches Monday at the busiest train station in the United States.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 10, 2017, 4:00 AM

Updated 2,481 days ago

Share:

Expectations low, commuters brace for a 'Summer of Hell'
A massive two-month repair project launches Monday at the busiest train station in the United States, and commuters used to regular delays and service disruptions are bracing for the worst.
Two minor derailments and other problems at New York's Penn Station this spring prompted Amtrak to accelerate repairs it had initially planned to perform over a few years. Last Thursday, there was another minor derailment at the station.
To accommodate the replacing of tracks and signals, commuter rail service is being reduced by about 20 percent, and Amtrak will run fewer trains between New York and Washington, D.C.
NJ Transit is urging all Morris and Essex Line customers to check for new schedules, train times and stops.
Midtown Direct trains on the Gladstone Branch will be diverted to and from Hoboken.
Midtown Direct trains on the Montclair-Boonton Line will operate with minor time changes to and from New York Penn Station, as well as the Northeast Corridor trains.
Hoboken-bound North Jersey Coast Line trains will end at Newark Penn Station.
The repairs will improve reliability, but they won't add capacity or ease overcrowding at Penn Station. That won't happen until a new tunnel is built under the Hudson River, a project that faces lingering questions over how much funding President Donald Trump's administration will provide.
For more details and updates over the course of the repairs, visit News 12’s Commuter Chaos section.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
2:16
‘One of our worst corridors in terms of accidents.’ Goal Zero aims to make Route 9 safer

‘One of our worst corridors in terms of accidents.’ Goal Zero aims to make Route 9 safer

1:49
Freeze watch in effect for parts of the state overnight; Sunny Friday ahead

Freeze watch in effect for parts of the state overnight; Sunny Friday ahead

1:05
Officials: 2 arrested for trespassing during pro-Palestinian protest at Princeton University

Officials: 2 arrested for trespassing during pro-Palestinian protest at Princeton University

2:24
Newark officials announce summer curfew for minors to go into effect May 3

Newark officials announce summer curfew for minors to go into effect May 3

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:37
Vineland police sergeant accused of using his position to obtain child sex materials

Vineland police sergeant accused of using his position to obtain child sex materials

10:25
Gov. Murphy answers viewers questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’ program - April 25, 2024

Gov. Murphy answers viewers questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’ program - April 25, 2024

1:44
NJ Transit rail service into and out of Penn Station New York now operating on or close to schedule

NJ Transit rail service into and out of Penn Station New York now operating on or close to schedule

0:25
4 kittens left outside in the cold in front of Humane Society in Plainfield

4 kittens left outside in the cold in front of Humane Society in Plainfield

1:38
PSE&G celebrates Take Your Child to Work Day

PSE&G celebrates Take Your Child to Work Day

0:30
NJ Forest Fire Service: 510-acre wildfire in Wharton State Forest now 100% contained

NJ Forest Fire Service: 510-acre wildfire in Wharton State Forest now 100% contained

0:05
Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

Baseball's oldest living major leaguer, former Yankee Art Schallock, is turning 100

1:50
Threatening message found at Dwight-Englewood middle school

Threatening message found at Dwight-Englewood middle school

2:27
How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

0:24
New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

0:25
Asbury Park man sentenced to 40 years in prison for 2021 home invasion, sex assault

Asbury Park man sentenced to 40 years in prison for 2021 home invasion, sex assault

0:26
Union police searching for missing 60-year-old man last seen at Whole Foods parking lot

Union police searching for missing 60-year-old man last seen at Whole Foods parking lot

0:24
Fanwood police warn of possible concert ticket scams on Facebook

Fanwood police warn of possible concert ticket scams on Facebook

0:36
New Jersey Instagram fraudster 'Jay Mazini' sentenced for his crypto scheme that preyed on Muslims

New Jersey Instagram fraudster 'Jay Mazini' sentenced for his crypto scheme that preyed on Muslims

Your Road Trip Close to Home adventure guide for April 25

Your Road Trip Close to Home adventure guide for April 25