PATCO Rail Grinding Project: Philadelphia-NJ Track Maintenance

Expert:

PATCO line undergoes $1.34M **rail grinding** project. The project, including 18 miles of track, is part of a two-phase maintenance program, until March 2026.

PATCO Rail Grinding Project: Philadelphia-NJ Track Maintenance
November 13, 2025 4:54 am

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Introduction

The Delaware River Port Authority has initiated a $1.34 million rail-grinding project on the Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO) subway line, which links Philadelphia with Camden County, New Jersey. The project, which began on September 1, involves the grinding of 18 miles of track and is scheduled to conclude in March 2026.

Project Scope

The rail grinding will be conducted on both the eastbound and westbound mainline tracks of the PATCO line. Each track spans 14.2 miles. The project scope also includes precision grinding of the interlockings on the PATCO system.

Phase 1 of the Program

The rail grinding project is part of a two-phase cleanliness and maintenance program. The first phase of the program was completed over the summer. During this phase, overnight service frequency was reduced to facilitate track work.

Phase 2 Implementation

The second phase of the project commenced on September 1 and is projected to continue through March 2026. This phase involves the suspension of all overnight service. The overnight shutdowns allow crews to undertake tasks that are challenging to execute during train operations, such as rail grinding, deep cleaning, and electrical and signal work.

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Conclusion

The Delaware River Port Authority is undertaking a $1.34 million rail-grinding project on the PATCO line, which is part of a larger, two-phase maintenance program. This project includes grinding 18 miles of track and is expected to be completed by March 2026.

Company Summary

Delaware River Port Authority: The Delaware River Port Authority is a bi-state agency that operates transportation infrastructure, including the PATCO line.

Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO): PATCO operates a subway line that connects Philadelphia to Camden County, New Jersey.

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