The Zoo to Paoli multi-year program will advance major power system upgrades along a critical segment of the Harrisburg line increasing service reliability for Amtrak and SEPTA customers. As owner of the Harrisburg line, Amtrak is working with its partners to advance the Zoo to Paoli Electrification Transmission Line Project.  The overall program covers multiple components, including the construction of a new substation, the replacement of aged catenary structures (overhead wires used to supply electricity to a train), the construction of new transmission lines, and upgrades to the signal power system.

Once this project is complete, Amtrak’s Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian trains, as well as the SEPTA Paoli Thorndale Line, will benefit from more reliable service thanks to a modern overhead catenary system (OCS) and increased capacity signal power for future signal upgrades. The existing high voltage transmission line (138kV) located off Amtrak’s right-of-way will no longer be in use as Amtrak will have the new transmission line on Amtrak property to access for maintenance, use and overall increase in system reliability.

Planning and public engagement for this project began in 2012 in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). An Environmental Assessment (EA) was completed and signed by the Federal Railroad Administration in March of 2017.

Amtrak is working with its partners at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), PennDOT, SEPTA, and Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) as well as local municipalities and counties along the project corridor.

This work will be completed across three major components.