AMTRAK New Jersey High Speed Rail Improvement Program

The New Jersey High Speed Rail Improvement Program (NJ HSRIP) represents the first significant and tangible stair step in Amtrak’s plan to introduce highspeed rail in the western hemisphere.

The general objective of NJ HSRIP is to upgrade and improve the catenary, power, track, and signal systems on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) primarily between New Brunswick and Trenton, NJ, and to design improvements to the western approach tracks in New York Penn Station. NJ HSRIP is designed to deliver improved travel times and service reliability for Amtrak intercity passenger rail operations, including high-speed, regional, and long-distance services.

Project Components:

1. New Catenary System – Installation of constant tension catenary to support high-speed train operation. Amtrak will upgrade the existing catenary system, installing constant tension catenary to replace the 1935 era fixed wire catenary system.
2. New Substation – A new substation in Hamilton, NJ to support increased capacity and potential configuration of track operation reliability.
3. Signaling – New signaling along the right of way between Trenton and New Brunswick, NJ.
4. Track Upgrades – Install new high speed turnouts at “Delco” Interlocking and “Adams” Interlocking. These turnouts will support diverging moves at up to 80 miles per hour to support high speed operations, and support New Jersey Transit future operations. Also, replacement of Midway Interlocking in Monmouth Junction, NJ with new technology turnouts.
5. Frequency Converter Expansion – Expansion of the frequency converter in Metuchen, NJ to provide additional capacity.