This summer, Amtrak will continue annual track improvements in the region as part of a long-term effort to maintain and improve its infrastructure. The government-owned railroad also warned of possible delays caused by hot weather and the track work.
Amtrak has multiple operations in northern Delaware that have employed about 1,000.
“Updating railroad infrastructure is a fundamental component of our plan to deliver a new era of rail by modernizing the Amtrak fleet, building new bridges and tunnels, revitalizing stations and redefining the customer experience for the modern era,” said Amtrak Executive Vice President, Capital Delivery Laura Mason. “We’re grateful to our partners for their cooperation and flexibility as we advance these critical projects to achieve a state of good repair and enhance the overall Amtrak customer experience.”
Amtrak customers traveling on the Northeast Corridor through September 30 may experience minor delays in various locations throughout the New England and Mid-Atlantic Regions. Amtrak has committed approximately $130 million for rail improvements, with about $124 million this summer.
Newly adjusted train schedules account for this work and avoid conflicts with commuter agencies; however, customers may experience minor delays. For each project, Amtrak crews are working overnight to minimize delays.
Amtrak noted that high temperatures in summer can also impact Amtrak operations. Extreme heat can cause rail, bridge and overhead wires to expand. As a safety measure, Amtrak enacts temporary heat restrictions as needed. The restrictions require locomotive engineers to operate trains at lower speeds.