Why all the track work schedules?

As a 24/7/365 transit operation, the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) has to balance the challenge of providing around-the-clock service while also performing maintenance work on the rail.

PATCO operates on over 14 miles of track from Lindenwold, New Jersey to 15th/16th & Locust Streets in downtown Philadelphia.

As a result of the continuous operation, PATCO has to get creative and schedule track maintenance and improvements mostly during the overnight and off-peak hours when it would impact the least amount of customers.

WHY DOES IT SEEM PATCO IS ALWAYS DOING TRACK WORK?

At PATCO, we are often asked this question. The reason for frequent track work schedules is multi-layered.

The basic answer is that PATCO crews are continuously maintaining and improving the right-of-way through regular maintenance and capital project improvements.

The track work schedules allow crews to take a track block out (a section of railroad between two interlockings) and work uninterrupted and safely out of the way from train traffic. Interlockings are how trains cross over from one track to the other. PATCO has nine interlockings between stations, and the distances between these interlockings are not equal throughout the line. Trains can only cross tracks at these fixed locations, and there is no interlocking between every station.

When a track block out is taken out of service, the trains travel around the work area by switching to the adjacent track at the interlockings. However, because the eastbound and westbound trains are sharing the same track adjacent to the work area, PATCO has to modify the regular schedule to adjust intervals between trains to allow the trains to bypass the work area. When trains travel past work areas, they travel at significantly slower speeds to safely move past crews working on the adjacent track and this adds a few minutes to trip times.

If multiple areas are taken out of service for work simultaneously, both of these “single-tracked” areas are factored in the track work schedule times.

One capital project currently underway, the $14.3M “Way Interlocking and Subway Structure Rehabilitation” Project, is partially responsible for the increased frequency of track work schedules. The work is occurring in the tunnels underneath the City of Camden and replaces an interlocking and performs structural improvements. This project, which began in October of 2020, is scheduled to be completed in May of 2022.

Another project responsible for the increased frequency of track work schedules is the Ben Franklin Bridge Suspension Span and Anchorage Rehabilitation Project. This $219.9M project impacts the track between the Ferry Avenue Station and the 8th & Market St. Station, mainly on the weekends.

“At PATCO, we understand that a track work schedule may pose an inconvenience, but PATCO takes its stewardship mission of repairing and maintaining assets to heart,” said John D. Rink, PATCO General Manager. “Vital transportation assets are entrusted to us by the public, and we have a serious role in maintaining them for years to come and leaving them in better shape than we were given for future generations.”


A worker prepares to weld a railway frog point during the overnight hours.

Moving materials and equipment requires a track block taken out of service.

Off-peak work occurring in the tunnels underneath the City of Camden.