Harold Interlocking
| Company type | Rail junction |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1908 |
| Headquarters | Queens, New York City , United States |
Area served | United States Northeast Corridor, Long Island Rail Road Main Line and Port Washington Branch |
| Products | Rail traffic management and coordination |
Harold Interlocking stands as the most heavily trafficked railroad junction in the United States, situated within New York City. It facilitates operations for trains on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor as well as the Long Island Rail Road's Main Line and Port Washington Branch, which branch off at this pivotal intersection.
The reconstruction effort commenced in 2009, linked to the East Side Access initiative aimed at extending LIRR service to a new station beneath Grand Central Terminal, known as Grand Central Madison station. This project involved constructing two tunnels allowing Northeast Corridor trains to circumvent Harold Interlocking, thereby easing congestion and enhancing operational safety.
Location and operation
Located in Queens, New York, just east of the East River Tunnels and neighboring Amtrak's and NJ Transit Rail Operations' Sunnyside Yard, Harold Interlocking manages a daily volume of 783 trains,[1] with peak periods seeing over 40 trains per hour. It coordinates rail traffic for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor alongside the LIRR’s Main Line and Port Washington Branch.
The junction's intricate layout combined with substantial traffic has historically led to delays and occasional accidents, underscoring its vital importance within the regional rail network.[2]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
History
Constructed in 1908 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, Harold Interlocking was part of the broader New York Tunnel Extension project. This development also encompassed Pennsylvania Station, the North River Tunnels beneath the Hudson River, the East River Tunnels, and Sunnyside Yard.
In summer 1990, a nine-week renovation took place following a power surge that disrupted train schedules. Since that time, Harold Interlocking has been controlled remotely from a tower located at Penn Station.
East Side Access improvements
Upgrades to the junction began under the auspices of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in 2009; however, significant redesign and rebuilding efforts required additional financial resources. A federal grant of $294.7 million awarded in May 2011 aimed specifically to alleviate congestion at this junction.
These enhancements created a grade-separated connection between the East River Tunnels and the Hell Gate Bridge, enabling Amtrak trains traveling to or from New England to bypass Long Island Rail Road traffic entirely. Consequently, Northeast Corridor trains originating from the Hell Gate Bridge and New England avoid passing through Harold Interlocking altogether, while those heading in that direction bypass a substantial portion of it.
This work formed part of the adjacent East Side Access project to extend LIRR operations into Grand Central Terminal. By November 2018, two out of three tunnel portals associated with East Side Access at Harold Interlocking were completed; the third portal was finalized by early 2021. The entire East Side Access project reached completion on January 25, 2023, aligning with MTA’s planned timeline.
Other improvements
Construction on the Northeast Corridor bypass tunnels commenced in 2013. By October 2015, progress was delayed due to scheduling conflicts between Amtrak and MTA regarding track access. These delays contributed to cost increases approaching $1 billion by April 2018, with the MTA citing primarily Amtrak’s insufficient cooperation as a cause. Among upgrades at Harold Interlocking was the installation of a microprocessor-based interlocking logic system, replacing an older relay-based mechanism.
While some interlocking enhancement projects were finalized by early 2023, others continue with anticipated full completion projected for late 2025.
External links
- Harold Interlocking Map – Metropolitan Transportation Authority
- "A Closer Look at Sunnyside Yards, New York City's Upcoming Major Development" – ny.curbed.com (February 19, 2015)