Metrolink advances work on drainage improvement project

Metrolink has extended the schedule for a drainage improvement project on the Antelope Valley Line.

Crews work inside a tunnel along Metrolink's Antelope Valley Line using a RAILVAC excavation machinate to remove dirty ballast along the right-of-way.
Photo: Metrolink

The work, which began Dec. 13, is taking place in a tunnel south of the Newhall Station in Santa Clarita, Calif., and involves replacing up to 1,000 aging ties, cleaning ballast, and completing other projects to improve drainage, Metrolink officials said in a press release. The topography of the tunnel requires pumps to continually remove water from the area.

The project was initially scheduled to be completed over six consecutive Sundays through Jan. 17, but work will now be conducted on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, along with the Sundays of Jan. 17 and 24, Metrolink officials said.

The improvement work is expected to prevent a major weather-related disruption along the line as the region deals with the season's heavy rains, Metrolink officials said.