What to expect on Monday with Penn Station repairs beginning

NEW YORK (WABC) -- On Monday, Amtrak's infrastructure renewal will begin in the spaghetti junction of tracks and switches in what's known as 'A Interlocking.'

Penn Station handles more than 650,000 commuter rail and Amtrak passengers each day. The passengers come through seven tunnels - the rail lines then switch to 21 platforms.

The long overdue repair work takes out three to five tracks at a time in the A Interlocking section. A critical switching area used by Amtrak, NJ Transit and the LIRR.

"We will go down to three tracks during the peak periods to more readily accommodate service at the peak periods," says Amtrak COO Scot Naparstek

The delays will depend on how everything is running.

The LIRR has announced extensive plans allowing commuters to get in on larger trains, ferry and bus service and a combination of rail and subway. NJ Transit will offer similar choices.

"Midtown Direct customers who would normally take trains that arrive after 7 a.m. in New York would now stop in Hoboken. From there you can take a train into Manhattan," says Charles Ingoglia of NJ Transit.

With all of the preparations, riders are still trying to figure out their best options.

Amtrak has also modified its daily train schedules.

MORE INFORMATION

You can find more information and continuing updates from Eyewitness News at abc7ny.com/pennstationrepairs. Also get alerts by downloading our Eyewitness News app.

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