Amtrak recently completed infrastructure improvements along a 16-mile segment of track between New Brunswick and South Brunswick, N.J.
Trains now will travel at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. This is the fastest train in North America and matches top speeds in parts of New England.
In autumn, 2023, upgrades will allow the new Acela trains to achieve speeds of 160 miles an hour.
The project is part of the New Jersey High-Speed Rail Improvement program and a $450 million investment by U.S. Department of Transportation.
Work included the installation of high-speed turnouts, the installation of new signal power cables, renewed power substations, and new catenary (overhead wire) supports and wire renewal.
Eight more miles of catenary between South Brunswick and Trenton are expected to be completed in 2024.
“The upgrades coming from 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,” Amtrak President and CEO Stephen Gardner said.
The line offers nine round-trip trains between Boston and New York, and 10 daily round-trip trains between New York and Washington. Amtrak has returned to its pre-work schedule.