MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Amtrak workers have made their way to the Middletown Station, as the major renovation of the Keystone Line enters its second phase.
"We are two weeks ahead of our plan and continuing on that path," said Laura Mason, Amtrak's vice president of capital delivery.
Amtrak crews began work on the 43-mile stretch of rail back in March, and are slowly making their way from Lancaster to Harrisburg. The project is replacing 1950s-era rail ties with more durable concrete rail ties.
Mason said the project has been moving efficiently.
“I like to use the analogy of a slinky," said Mason. "The head-end moves faster, pulling out the old ties, putting in the new ties, and laying down the rail. The crew is following behind them surfacing it, getting it to the right height, and addressing the under-ballast.”
The new concrete rail ties will help improve ride quality while cutting down on maintenance for the next few decades.
Daily commuters who ride the Keystone Line are being bused between Harrisburg and Lancaster, as crews work on replacing the tracks. Amtrak officials said crews are working to keep up the pace so that they can have the track fully open by November.
“We won’t waste the gift you’ve given us with track time and keep up the productivity and get as much work done as we can, so we can return the track to service as soon as we can," said Mason.
Amtrak is investing $122 million for the renovation of the Harrisburg to Lancaster line.