Amtrak expects the renovation of New York Penn Station and its Empire Connection to be completed on time and without major surprises.
In a briefing last week, Amtrak Chief Operating Officer Scot Naparstek said rebuilding of the Empire Connection from the west end of Penn Station to the connection west of the Spuyten Duyvil Metro-North Station is on schedule.
The project involves the Empire Tunnel, the rails between the tunnel and the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge.
The Spuyten Duyvil Bridge swing span is expected to be back in place by the week of July 30, with tweaking of the electrical and mechanical systems to take place during August.
Workers are replacing 2,500 track fasteners inside the tunnel as well as lowering the track to accommodate clearances of the new Hudson River Tunnels.
A new switch is being installed at 72nd Street and workers are replacing 15 miles of welded rail and 15,000 ties.
Surfacing of 19 miles of ballasted track will be done before the Labor Day Weekend on the largely double-track line.
The Empire Connection is used by the Chicago-New York Lake Shore Limited as well as other Empire Service trains.
At Penn Station a new upper-level handbag kiosk is being installed along with a Starbucks and a wine store kiosk.
Platform 6, which serves Tracks 11 and 12, will be taken out of service for Moynihan Station work, and will be restored next year. Other platforms are getting better lighting and new signs.
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