Lehigh Line Connection
| Company type | Rail connection |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Newark, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Newark, New Jersey |
| Products | Rail link between Amtrak Northeast Corridor and Conrail Lehigh Line |
The Lehigh Line Connection serves as a link between Amtrak's Northeast Corridor (NEC) and the Conrail Lehigh Line, situated approximately south of downtown Newark, New Jersey. Also referred to as the Hunter Connection, it branches off from the NEC at Hunter Interlocking. Since 1997, this connection has been utilized by New Jersey Transit (NJT) Raritan Valley Line services, replacing an earlier alignment. The updated route incorporates broader curves that permit speeds up to 45 mph, a significant improvement over the previous limit of 15 mph.
The former single-track link featured obsolete overhead electrification and Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) signaling systems. Prior to 1961, Lehigh Valley Railroad (LV) passenger trains, including the Black Diamond, traveled this path to connect with their railroad via the PRR main line. At NK interlocking, LV diesel locomotives exchanged trains with PRR electric engines. While electrification does not extend beyond the connection, the newly constructed track is equipped with catenary wire.
To address operational challenges, Amtrak and NJT have proposed the $250 million Hunter Flyover project, designed to carry Raritan Valley Line trains bound for Newark over the six-track NEC mainline. Currently, these trains must cross several tracks at grade to access eastbound tracks at Newark, leading to delays. The flyover aims to eliminate these at-grade crossings and enhance reliability along the NEC. This initiative is presently in the environmental review phase.