By: Richard L. Smith
Commuters returning to work and school after the holiday weekend faced significant disruptions Monday morning as rail services across New Jersey and the Northeast Corridor ground to a halt.
The delays, caused by damaged overhead wires near Newark, have affected thousands of travelers relying on New Jersey Transit and Amtrak.
According to Amtrak, service between Philadelphia and New York along the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor is temporarily suspended as crews work to repair the wire damage.
Amtrak expects service to be restored around noon but warns of potential residual delays.
New Jersey Transit has also been severely impacted. Rail service on the North Jersey Coast Line and Northeast Corridor is suspended in both directions.
For those traveling to and from Penn Station in New York, Raritan Valley Line trains are experiencing delays of up to 60 minutes.
Additionally, Midtown Direct trains that usually serve Penn Station are being diverted to Hoboken.
Amtrak acknowledged the severity of the disruption, stating, “Our teams are working diligently to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.”
Commuters are urged to plan alternative routes and expect extended travel times.
The breakdown comes at a critical time as thousands attempt to return to their routines following the long weekend.
The disruption stresses the fragile state of aging infrastructure along one of the nation’s busiest rail corridors, raising concerns about the route of the state’s transportation system, which serves the region.
Travelers are encouraged to monitor updates from New Jersey Transit and Amtrak as repair efforts continue throughout the morning.