Revitalizing Rail: Amtrak and HNTB Join Forces for Harrisburg Line Electrification
Amtrak has taken a significant step toward modernizing its infrastructure by awarding HNTB a contract aimed at enhancing the electrification system along the Harrisburg Line. This important initiative, known as the Zoo to Paoli Electrification Transmission Line Programme, targets an 18-mile segment that stretches from Philadelphia to Chester County, and it is set to restore all overhead wires and catenary poles, ensuring a more reliable rail service for millions of travelers across Pennsylvania.
Modernizing Rail Infrastructure
HNTB’s engagement will focus on providing project and construction management support for the vital Bryn Mawr substation and the extension to Paoli. This multi-year commitment is part of a larger effort that also includes ongoing track enhancements between Harrisburg and Lancaster. The aim is to improve service reliability on the heavily trafficked rail corridor.
Key Components of the Electrification Programme
This ambitious project involves intricately planned upgrades, including the relocation of a high-voltage 138kV transmission line onto Amtrak property. To facilitate this, HNTB will oversee the construction of 330 new catenary structures, along with static wires and insulators, while upgrading the essential signaling power systems. This endeavor will be executed in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
Amtrak’s capital delivery executive vice president, Laura Mason, underscored the expected benefits of this initiative. According to Mason, “Once this programme is complete, Amtrak’s Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian trains… will benefit from more reliable service thanks to a modern overhead catenary system (OCS) and power generation and distribution infrastructure.” This enhancement is particularly pertinent given the long-distance nature of the rail operations between power substations in the New York-Washington-Harrisburg corridor.
Procurement and Future Steps
As part of the electrification phase from Paoli to Bryn Mawr, Amtrak has initiated procurement processes, starting with an advanced notice and a request for qualifications. An official request for proposals is expected in December 2024, with a contract award anticipated early in 2025. In parallel, the Bryn Mawr to Zoo Transmission Line segment is currently undergoing planning, with procurement foreseen to commence around 2027 to 2028.
This electrification programme is a crucial element of the Federal Railroad Administration’s 2024 NEC Project Inventory, which qualifies it for Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program funding, marking an essential funding avenue to support such infrastructure improvements.
Revamping the Electrification System
Amtrak is employing a design-bid-build approach for the transmission line segments while actively procuring management services to facilitate the Bryn Mawr substation replacement and OCS upgrades. This initiative forms part of Amtrak’s historic commitment to infrastructure improvement, having allocated over $6 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2024 for various projects.
The upcoming upgrades promise to redefine rail travel in Pennsylvania, enhancing not only utility but also the overall experience for passengers relying on the Keystone Service. Such significant enhancements indicate Amtrak’s readiness to embrace modern electrification and offer a much more efficient service.
The collaboration of agencies and the introduction of modern technologies signify a promising future for Pennsylvania’s rail network.
A Commitment to Accessibility
Amtrak’s commitment to infrastructure enhancement does not end with electrification. In recent news, the rail operator, in collaboration with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Town of Westport, and Canadian Pacific Railway, has also successfully completed much-needed accessibility upgrades at Westport Station. These progressive moves highlight Amtrak’s holistic approach to transportation improvement, ensuring all passengers benefit from superior service.
In conclusion, as Amtrak gears up for its ambitious Harrisburg Line electrification project, it affirms its commitment to revolutionizing rail travel in the United States, paving the way for a newer, more reliable, and efficient future in public transportation. The electrification of the Harrisburg Line is not just a project; it’s a transformational leap for rail travel across Pennsylvania and beyond.
