Metro-North begins Hudson Line embankment stabilization

MTA Metro-North Railroad has kicked off an $8.6 million project to stabilize an embankment along the Hudson Line where tracks sit on a thin, rocky ledge in the Hudson Highlands.

The section of track, just north of Peekskill, is prone to rock slides and washouts. The embankment stabilization was planned long before Hurricane Sandy hit the region last fall, damaging tracks and signal systems and causing erosion of the track bed, Metro-North officials said in a press release.

The project is part of Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Capital Program.

"The type of work we are doing here is similar to several projects soon to be undertaken elsewhere along the right of way," said Metro-North President Howard Permut. "This kind of reinforcement is critical to protect the tracks from future storm-related erosion."

Because of the challenging terrain, all work is being done from barges in the Hudson River and all tailings form [[from? Otherwise there's something amiss here]] huge drills are being removed by barge. Work is occurring on weekdays during off-peak hours.

A $6 million contract was awarded to Kiewit Infrastructure Co. of Woodcliff Lake, N.J. The project is expected to be completed this fall.