Amtrak touts faster trains in NJ

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As part of a project for the New Jersey High-Speed Rail Improvement program, Amtrak says passengers can now travel even faster along a 16-mile segment of track between New Brunswick and South Brunswick, accommodating speeds of up to 150 mph.

The project stems from a $450 million investment by the U.S. Department of Transportation and is the first of many speed upgrades that are being planned across the Northeast Corridor.

It is also part of an effort by Amtrak to reduce trip times and improve the reliability of intercity and commuter services on the most heavily traveled sections of the corridor.

“The upgrades coming [to] the New Jersey High-Speed Rail Improvement Program exemplify our continual commitment to upgrade the Northeast Corridor and transform the customer experience as we welcome more passengers back on board,” said Amtrak President and CEO Stephen Gardner. “Thanks to the hard work by Amtrak’s Infrastructure Maintenance & Construction Services Team and our DOT and commuter partners, our customers will experience more reliable and faster trains and better on-time performance on this busy section of the NEC.”

These train speeds are the fastest of any in North America.

The completed project included the installation of new signal power cables, new overhead wire support and wire renewal, installation of high-speed turnouts, and renewed power substations.

Additionally, 8 miles of overhead wire supports between South Brunswick and Trenton are currently being upgraded. That project is expected to be completed in 2024.