Amtrak considering closing Penn Station tracks for repairs: report

Amtrak could close tracks at New York City’s Pennsylvania Station for longterm repairs, a move that could cause major disruptions for thousands of commuters, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

The repairs discussion comes after two trains derailed this month. 

The infrastructure needs drastic repairs, officials briefed on the plans told the Times. Closing the station for a drastic overhaul could lead to delays or route changes for the major lines that connect at the station.

{mosads}The repairs would reportedly affect the Long Island Rail Road and the New Jersey Transit, two of the country’s largest railroads.

In the next couple of months, several tracks could be closed for days or weeks at a time. 

Amtrak officials said that the delays and cost of repairs the short-term would pay off in long-term safety improvements for passengers.  

The repairs have reportedly been considered for several weeks. 

Delays have already affected commuters more than once this week. 

Christina Leeds, a spokeswoman for Amtrak, told the Times on Tuesday that Amtrak is working on a plan to improve Penn Station’s infrastructure that’s expected to result “in some delays and cancellations.”

“This renewal effort will replace and rejuvenate the selected infrastructure providing needed updates and is different than the ongoing repair work [at Penn Station],” Leeds said in a statement to the newspaper. “We’ll have more on the plans in the coming days and will be working with LIRR and NJT to schedule this work and minimize service impacts.”