PATCO Ben Franklin Bridge Work Starts 1/18/14

[prr60]

The rebuild of the track bed across the Ben Franklin Bridge will start this Saturday (1/18/14). PATCO has issued a special construction timetable for the first phase of the work.

The Cliffs Notes version is that PATCO will single-track across the bridge each week beginning 11am Friday and ending 3:30am the following Tuesday. This will result in single-track rush hours Friday PM, and Monday AM and PM. PATCO’s operating plan is to run peak-direction trains in banks, with more or less normal rush hour headways for about 30 minutes, then a long break with no trains in the peak direction (26-28 minutes) while trains are moved back across the bridge (some deadheading). Then they will return to short headways, then another long break, etc. In the afternoon rush, a couple of eastbound trains will originate at 12th-13th, and 8th Street after one of the breaks. This Friday 11am to Tuesday 3:30am plan will continue for a couple of months at which time the other shoe drops and they go to single-track 24 hours a day, seven days a week for an additional four-month period.

It seems like a lot of thought went onto devising the plan, but with only one track open in the heart of the system, there is only so much that can be done. This would seem to be a situation that cries out for finally running eight-car revenue trains (without Santa on board) even if they have to add a second operator to handle door closings due to restricted visibility from the cab. It will be very interesting to see how this works out.

[Amtrak7]

Why are they working all day on Monday? It would make more sense to single-track both Friday rush hours and Monday AM, since Fridays tend to have lower ridership.

[interlocking]

I thought that the work was to be single track every day for several weeks.

[ReadingAve]

I also agree that they need to run 8-car trains at least during rush hour(s). It would be one thing if it was just for a day or two, but for months on end? I read in the PATCO book that they tried running 8-car trains after the NJ platforms were extended but the sight lines at some stations precluded single operator operation. So the idea was shelved until a situation came along to warrant revisiting it. Well, I'd say this situation qualifies.

Adding insult to injury the press release also noted that this work will also knock out a vehicle lane on the BF bridge to allow semi-permanent placement of the railroad construction vehicles.

Oh boy!

[Amtrak7]

Any reason why the work has been suspended for a few Fridays and Mondays?

[FatPants]

Because most of the weather events have taken place on Sunday/Monday mornings, further compromising the availability of equipment. PATCO seems to have determined that it no longer makes sense to enrage your passengers on Monday mornings, when they are already enraged about having to go to work and to sit in the station awaiting a train that may or may not show up. Once it is later in the winter and the likelihood of snow diminishes, the trackwork schedule will resume.

[25Hz]

Because most of the weather events have taken place on Sunday/Monday mornings, further compromising the availability of equipment. PATCO seems to have determined that it no longer makes sense to enrage your passengers on Monday mornings, when they are already enraged about having to go to work and to sit in the station awaiting a train that may or may not show up. Once it is later in the winter and the likelihood of snow diminishes, the trackwork schedule will resume.

I guess looking out the window over the bridge isn't any consolation?

[South Jersey Budd]

I don't understand how there can be up to 30 minute delays if there are complete sets of crossovers west of City Hall and West of 9-10th ? It takes a half hour to move trains between those two stops on a single track? Or are my track maps wrong?

[chuchubob]

I don't understand how there can be up to 30 minute delays if there are complete sets of crossovers west of City Hall and West of 9-10th ? It takes a half hour to move trains between those two stops on a single track? Or are my track maps wrong?

A look at the timetable should answer your question.

[South Jersey Budd]

Thanks for posting the schedule Bob.

From a cursory look, the schedule makers decided on running 4-5 trains in either direction causing the 25 to 30 minute lapse in the schedule. Why not 2 or 3 at a time with about 15 minute gap which is more reasonable? Did PATCO ask for any input from the passenger advocate groups?

[ReadingAve]

I just noticed that PATCO posted a bunch of pictures of the work in progress on the south side of the bridge. The before and afters are amazing.

http://www.ridepatco.org/about/trackrehabilitation.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jersey_Mike]

The original BFB trackbeds were of the closed and ballasted variety. Was PATCO wise to have switched to the open deck style when they last rebuilt the BFB segment?