Funding for Port Jervis Line passing siding announced

Mid-HudsonNews.com

HARRIMAN – State Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) announced on Wednesday a $100 million plan to create passing sidings on the Port Jervis Metro-North rail line.
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The current tracks are one way which leads to a huge gap in service. The plan would create a passing siding that would allow two trains to pass each other.

That would allow for a substantial increase in train service as there can be two trains going in opposite directions on the line at the same time.
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Realistically, according to Skoufis the passing siding will take about three years to complete. The rail beds are privately held by an entity other than the MTA so negotiations may be time consuming, he said.

3 years to build one siding? That's pretty sad.

It’s more than one siding. When I retired 5 years ago the plan was for three sidings. I’m not sure if the plan has changed.

The time-consuming part is design (signal system changes) and procurement. Signal system components for new interlockings are long lead items.