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Problems with New Concrete at PATCO Westmont Viaduct Impact Monday Morning Rush Hour, Normal Weekday Service Resumed 1 p.m.

$14 million track improvement project will preserve structural integrity while ensuring safety of passengers

LINDENWOLD, N.J.  – The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) and the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) recently began work on a $14 million track improvement project at the PATCO Westmont Station to preserve the structural integrity of the Westmont Viaduct, the elevated concrete structure that carries trains above the streets of Haddon Township.

“This scheduled priority project is critical to the safety of the passengers and integrity of the structure. Many of the components present are part of the original construction from PATCO’s opening in 1969, with on-going maintenance increasing,” said John Rink, PATCO General Manager. “The rails and fasteners being replaced are at the limits of their life expectancy. The new system will not only ensure customers’ safety and upgrade existing infrastructure, it will also reduce maintenance efforts and reduce noise cause by vibration from passing trains.”

The two-year project will include the replacement existing rails, concrete pads and fasteners, many of which are original to the rail system, and the installation of new fasteners and rail along a 2,000-foot section of the PATCO line, from Chestnut Avenue through the Westmont Station to Carlton Avenue. Safety railings along the outside of the track will also be installed as part of the project.

Prior to work beginning on the project, a mock-up utilizing the materials and methods to be used for repairs and installations was constructed, with all materials tested and approved in accordance with the project specifications.

During the first scheduled work outage during the weekend of June 25 and 26, work was completed according to plan. However, upon laboratory testing, samples of the concrete materials used during construction did not meet DRPA’s requirements of minimum strength necessary for the project. For this reason, PATCO did not put the track back in service for the morning rush. Demolition began immediately to replace the concrete with temporary wood ties, enabling the track to be secured to the viaduct and allowing the track to be returned to service. The temporary ties will be removed at a later date and replaced with permanent concrete.

The track returned to service shortly before noon and PATCO returned to its normal weekday schedule at 1 p.m.

“We appreciate our customers’ understanding and patience as this project moves forward and apologize for any inconvenience they may have experienced this morning,” said Rink. “As demonstrated with this project, safety is our top priority.”

To maintain PATCO service and minimize disruptions for customers, construction will continue to take place on only one track at a time. Trains will operate on a single track following rush hour on Friday evenings, with the track returning to service prior to rush hour on Monday mornings.

Construction will take place overhead between Chestnut and Carlton Avenues, with crews and equipment working from the ground adjacent to the track. In addition to Chestnut and Carlton Avenues, work will take place over Glenwood Avenue, Crystal Lake Road and Stoy Avenue. Roads may be detoured during this period.

Work on the Westmont Viaduct Project is expected to be completed in March 2018.

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