By: Richard L. Smith
PATH riders who travel between Harrison and Journal Square are being advised to plan ahead as the Port Authority prepares for several weekends of partial service suspensions from late February through late April.
According to a statement released by PATH officials, the service changes are necessary to allow federally required testing of new software that operates recently installed track switches.
The equipment, which allows trains to safely change tracks, was installed last fall along the corridor between the Harrison and Journal Square stations.
The Federal Railroad Administration mandates extensive testing of the interlocking software before the system can be placed into full service.
Until that process is completed, the new switches cannot be activated during normal operations, prompting the need for temporary weekend disruptions.
Officials say the testing is part of the Port Authority’s broader PATH Forward initiative, a $430 million, multi-year investment aimed at rehabilitating and modernizing the 117-year-old rail system that connects New Jersey and New York.
The program focuses on upgrading aging track infrastructure, signals, and station components to improve long-term reliability and operational flexibility.
PATH has carried out similar weekend service suspensions in recent years to accommodate infrastructure upgrades, particularly along high-traffic segments of the system.
During those periods, the agency typically provided alternate travel options, including shuttle buses and adjusted service patterns, to minimize inconvenience to riders.
While weekday service is expected to remain unaffected, PATH officials are encouraging riders to stay informed by checking official service advisories as each affected weekend approaches.
Additional details regarding alternate transportation and exact service changes are expected to be released closer to the scheduled testing dates.
Transit officials acknowledge the inconvenience but emphasize that the work is essential to improving service reliability and safety for the tens of thousands of passengers who rely on PATH every day.