By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Commuters using New York’s Penn Station face another Amtrak project to replace rails and switches that date back to the 1970’s, and the work will result in changes to train schedules starting Monday.

Will this have a major effect on commuters and cause a winter of discontent, or just be a bump in the railroad? Here's what you need to know.

Don't Edit

Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

What's happening?

Amtrak officials warned commuters during last summer's massive Penn Station track replacement project that more work was coming in the nation's busiest train station, which could disrupt service.

On Nov. 14, Amtrak officials announced a winter Penn Station track project to start in January and continue until May 28.

Don't Edit

(Amtrak Photo by Chuck Gomez)

What will be done?

This work is different than the summer project because of its location in Penn Station and the scope of work. The summer project took place in a junction of tracks between the Hudson River tunnels and Penn Station platforms.

The winter work affecting commuters the most is replacement of Tracks 15 and 18 that requires closing them during weekdays. The track and support structures will be entirely replaced on Track 15, consisting of demolishing existing concrete structures, building new ones and replacing the rails.

A similar project was done on Track 10 during the summer, and it took several weeks to complete. On Track 18, crews will replace some concrete structures and rails.

Other work includes rehabilitating three major track switches in a junction of tracks known as “C” Interlocking, located at the station's east end. It's used by Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road trains to routes east of Manhattan and to the Sunnyside Yard. Officials said this work will not affect NJ Transit trains stored Sunnyside, because they use different tracks and tunnels.

Don't Edit

(John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

When will it be done?

The work on Tracks 15 and 18 requires closing them until the projects are completed. That includes weekdays, starting Monday. The other track work on C Interlocking happens on weekends, Amtrak officials said.

Amtrak work crews finished the summer project with one day to spare, delivering it before the agency's Sept. 1, 2017 deadline for completion. The agency had a massive mobilization of material, workers and construction equipment to meet the deadline.

Don't Edit

(Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

What does it mean for your commute?

Unlike the summer track project, this work affects specific NJ Transit trains instead of an entire rail line. But Long Island Rail Road riders will see more schedule changes from this project than NJ Transit riders.

During the summer project, Morris & Essex Lines trains were diverted to Hoboken Terminal for 44 days. This time, commuters who ride the Morris & Essex lines will be spared from major disruptions.

New NJ Transit rail schedules that go into effect on Sunday contain the changes. All rail lines will see some minor schedule changes, said Lisa Torbic, an NJ Transit spokeswoman. The biggest changes will be seen on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Lines.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

(Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

North Jersey Coast Line changes

Two New Jersey Coast Line trains will be diverted to Hoboken in the morning and evening during the work. Train #3216, which leaves Long Branch at 6:23 a.m., will be designated as train #2604, leaving Long Branch at 6:11 a.m. Three other Coast Line trains will have different morning departure times.

In the evening, train #3267, the current 5:25 p.m. departure from Penn Station in New York, will be rerouted to Hoboken, meaning it will not serve New York or Secaucus. The new train will be numbered as 2609 and leaves Hoboken at 5:22 p.m.



Train #3269 will depart from Penn Station in New York at 5:33 p.m. and add a stop at Secaucus. It will connect with the 7:09 p.m. Bay Head shuttle at Long Branch.

Train #3441, which now leaves New York at 6:51 p.m. will be canceled. Instead, train #3875, departs New York at 6:47 p.m. and will make all local stops.

Don't Edit

Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Northeast Corridor Line changes

NEC riders will also lose a New York train during the morning and evening commute.

Train #3122, which now departs New Brunswick at 7:06 a.m., will depart at 7:05 a.m. and end at Newark Penn Station. Commuters can use train #3124, scheduled to depart New Brunswick at 7:11 a.m. That train will no longer stop at Newark Airport or Secaucus stations.

In the evening, train #3171 will no longer leave from New York or stop at Secaucus. It will originate at Newark Penn Station, leaving at 6:03 p.m. It will be renumbered train #5869, adding a Newark Airport stop, running express to Rahway, and then making all stops to Trenton.

Don't Edit

(Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Other commuting options

Coast Line commuters have other travel options, including riding private commuter buses operated by Academy Bus from the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel and other locations, Torbic said.

Coast Line commuters also have two ferry options from Monmouth County, including NY Waterway ferries from Belford and Seastreak ferries from Highlands or Atlantic Highlands.

NEC commuters have bus options including Suburban Transit/Coach USA bus from points in Mercer and Middlesex Counties, and NJ Transit bus routes on the Route 9 corridor.

Don't Edit

(Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Will PATH, private buses or the ferry honor train tickets?

Unlike the summer Amtrak project, PATH and NY Waterway ferries and private carrier buses will not cross-honor NJ Transit rail tickets during this track project, Torbic said. Cross-honoring was offered during the summer project because the work cut 25 percent of NJ Transit’s capacity in Penn Station New York and affected more people.

Using NJ Transit buses is an option during the winter project, Torbic said.

“Our existing fare policy allows customers with a monthly rail pass to travel on NJ Transit buses up to the number of (fare) zones indicated on the monthly pass," Torbic said.

Don't Edit

(Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Who's helping commuters?

NJ Transit will use customer service ambassadors to answer questions during the winter track project, Torbic said. Ambassadors will be deployed during the morning commuting peak hours at Secaucus, Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station and during the afternoon at those stations and Penn Station New York, she said.

Commuters who answered surveys called the assistance provided by NJ Transit's ambassadors during the summer a valuable tool, Torbic said

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

(Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Other travel advice

Commuters who decide to take a train that terminates at Newark Penn Station because of the project should buy a monthly pass to Newark and not to New York Penn Station, and purchase a PATH pass.



The same advice applies to commuters who decide to ride a train that will terminate at Hoboken Terminal during the track project. They also should purchase tickets or a pass for PATH or NY Waterway ferry.



Torbic said commuters should monitor news media or NJ Transit alerts before traveling to get service advisories. Commuters also should sign up for NJ Transit text and email alerts and follow NJ Transit on social media to get updates, she said.

Don't Edit

(Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Is this the end of work in Penn Station?

Penn Station could be described as the world biggest fixer-upper and the summer and January projects are just the beginning. Amtrak officials told New York State lawmakers in May that other work needs to be done in Penn Station.

Officials reiterated in August that other tracks need work in addition to systems that provide electrical power, overhead wires and signals. The two 107-year old Hudson River rail tunnels also require constant maintenance, which Amtrak officials try to confine to weekends.

Don't Edit

Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Read more about Penn Station

The answer to Penn Station's problems is to rebuild the original, architects say.

More major Penn Station work will be needed, Amtrak says.

Could this T-Rex make our commuting problems extinct?

Is this visionary plan the solution to our transit woes?