Metro-North Track Work to Begin March 31

Metro-North has announced that track improvements will begin March 31, taking out one track in a six-mile stretch used by the New Haven and Harlem lines.

Here is the railroad's announcement:

This next round of work will begin on Track 1 (one of two center tracks) between Melrose and Woodlawn Stations.  New Haven and Harlem Line trains operate over the four tracks in this area and then merge with the Hudson Line south of this location.  

This track will remain out of service continuously until early May, so that track can be rebuilt and drainage can be improved.  Once the work is completed, crews will clean up debris in the area as quickly and efficiently as possible as well.

When this phase of work is completed, it will allow for the current 40-mph speed restriction on that center track to be lifted, resulting in improved performance and reliability in time for our next timetable change on May 11.  (Speeds on the other three tracks were increased to 75 miles per hour last fall following completion of track improvements in this six-mile section.)

The availability of three tracks in this area of the Bronx will limit our operating flexibility in the event of an incident affecting service, which may result in delays.  To stay informed as to impacts on your commute, we encourage customers to sign up for Metro-North’s email/text alerts and Train Time app.

Melrose and Tremont customers: Weekday Peak period busing will be in effect at your stations for the duration of this work.  Customers may take buses to Fordham for train service.  Train service at these two stations will be provided during the off-peak and weekends.  Please see a timetable for details, or visit our schedules page.

Through the end of the year, we will also be making track improvements between Harlem-125th Street Station and Mott Haven in the Bronx.  This work will be performed on weekends only, so as not to impact weekday service.

Hudson Line customers: Beginning in June, right-of-way improvements will take place between Riverdale and Greystone stations. We will inform you when this work is about to begin.