Travel Times to Shorten by Five Minutes at Same Time as Schedules Increase Service to Highest Levels Since Pandemic Began – 89% of Pre-Pandemic Service
Nearly Six-Month Project Renewed and Reinforced All Four Tracks Through the Area
Having All Tracks Back in Service Restores Line Capacity and Flexibility
View Photos of New Culvert
View Drone Video of New Culvert
View Photos of Damage to Culvert and Tracks Caused by Tropical Storm Ida
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that crews have completed permanent repairs of a 110-year-old culvert in Dobbs Ferry and the track structure on it that was washed out by heavy rain and high winds from Tropical Storm Ida. The completion of the emergency culvert replacement enables Metro-North to cut Hudson Line travel times through the area by up to five minutes on March 27 in conjunction with the new timetables that increase Metro-North service systemwide to 89% of pre-pandemic levels.
“Metro-North forces worked closely with the C & D contractor, restoring the track infrastructure as the project progressed across all four tracks,” said Metro-North President Cathy Rinaldi. “Today, Metro-North trains can operate at full speed over the culvert allowing us to cut five minutes from Hudson Line travel times. Having all four tracks back in service also gives Metro-North more flexibility to navigate through any potential problems.”
“Following the washout last fall, our Construction & Development team cleared trees and debris and addressed flooding conditions at multiple spots so we could restore service through Westchester County and the Bronx. They were able to quickly restore two tracks over the culvert in Dobbs Ferry, and then focus attention on a permanent fix,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jaime Torres-Springer. “Always aware of the impact the storm had to customers, the team worked tirelessly to bring the culvert back to operation before handing it off to Metro-North forces to complete the final steps.”
MTA Construction & Development actively managed the team of contractors and consultants who replaced the 110-year-old culvert in its entirety, where Wickers Creek drains into the Hudson, which serves as an emergency overflow drain during times of extraordinarily high rainwater events. All the work was undertaken while trains continued to travel over the culvert under slow speed restrictions. Following the completion of this work in early March, Metro-North Railroad’s track crews installed rails, ties and ballast which was followed by surfacing the entire track area. They installed and tested the third rail and ensured all signal systems and Positive Train Control (PTC) were working flawlessly.
The announcement brings an end to delays that began Sept. 1, 2021, when Tropical Storm Ida unleashed torrential downpours on the region. Metro-North implemented a new schedule on the Hudson Line on Sept. 20 to accommodate the culvert repair work and reduced line capacity.
On March 27, in conjunction with the schedule increases, Metro-North will remove the additional schedule time added in September to trains traversing the area.
Some of the overall highlights of the new timetables follow.
Hudson Line
Weekday service levels increase from 142 trains to 156 trains.
The Lower Hudson zone between GCT and Croton-Harmon increases from 82 trains to 92 trains.
AM Peak trains increase from 19 trains to 21 trains.
PM Peak trains increase from 15 trains to 18 trains.
The Upper Hudson zone between Cortlandt and Poughkeepsie increases from 60 trains to 64 trains.
AM Peak trains increase from 11 trains to 13 trains.
PM Peak trains increase from 10 trains to 12 trains.
Weekend service
Service at the popular Breakneck Ridge station will resume this Spring when safety and security enhancements are completed.
Hudson Line riders will experience faster trains.
Harlem Line
Weekday service levels increase from 190 trains to 208 trains.
The Lower Harlem zone between GCT and North White Plains increases from 91 trains to 97 trains.
AM Peak trains increase from 18 trains to 23 trains.
PM Peak trains increase from 16 trains to 20 trains.
The Upper Harlem zone between Valhalla and Southeast increases from 75 trains to 87 trains.
AM Peak trains increase from 13 trains to 17 trains.
PM Peak trains increase from 12 trains to 18 trains.
Harlem Line riders will experience faster trains.
New Haven Line
Weekday service levels increase from 244 trains to 278 trains.
The Inner New Haven zone between GCT and Stamford increases from 87 trains to 98 trains.
The Outer New Haven zone between Noroton Heights and New Haven increases from 76 trains to 97 trains.
The New Canaan Branch increases from 38 to 40 trains.
The Danbury Branch and Waterbury Branch service levels are unchanged.
New Haven Line riders will experience faster trains.
Service at Yankee Stadium/E 153rd Street
The New York Yankees open their home season on Thursday, April 7, against the Boston Red Sox. Metro-North will once again operate the popular Yankee Clipper trains on all three lines as well as shuttle trains between GCT, Harlem/125th Street and Yankees/E 153rd St Station for all home games and will add stops at the stadium on regularly scheduled Hudson Line trains.
Holiday Service
The March 2022 schedule incorporates Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
On Fridays, May 27, July 1 and Sept. 2, Metro-North will complement its new, expanded weekday schedule with additional early-getaway trains.
On Memorial Day, May 30, Independence Day, July 4, and Labor Day, Sept. 5, Metro-North will operate its full Sunday train schedule.
West of Hudson
There are no changes to the West of Hudson schedules on the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis Lines.