New Amtrak, NJ Transit funds to tackle issues connected to transit meltdowns

Amtrak and NJ Transit are set to receive $112 million in federal funds to finance an overhaul of the Northeast Corridor infrastructure in New Jersey, according to a congressman representing the state.

The funds target some of the same infrastructure issues that officials say contributed to a string of transit meltdowns this summer, repeatedly leaving commuters stranded — often with service in and out of New York entirely shut down for hours. With hoards of angry commuters frequently left suffering delays through sweltering temperatures, officials called for refunds and federal investigations into increasingly routine transit fiascos.

The new federal funding is the result of efforts from the state's congressional delegation to modernize the aging rail system, according to Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., whose office announced the awards.

The funds include $18.6 million to upgrade the signal system between New Brunswick and Elizabeth, and another $13.4 million to upgrade the "catenary" — the system of wires above trains — for a 23-miles span. Many of this summer's problems occurred as those wires — part of a track system Amtrak owns but both services use — sagged in the heat and became entangled with equipment atop NJ Transit trains, leading both agencies to point fingers at the other for the blame . Ultimately the two systems agreed to work more closely on planning and inspections.

"Securing this $32 million investment [for those two projects] is a victory for New Jersey commuters who have endured years of frustration due to outdated infrastructure," Pallone said in a statement.

Another $80 million will go to upgrades at an electrical substation in Kearny.

Pallone's announcement didn't include a timetable for the work. His office and Amtrak didn't immediately return messages seeking comment Thursday. NJ Transit said it couldn't yet comment on the funds as they hadn't been formally announced by federal authorities.