The next few years, take 2

[PRR 60]

The problem with many projects to speed up transit times is as one section is upgraded to past standards another slowly deteriorates to a slower speed. Look at the SW chief. Now when the Harold bypass is completed then you have a permanent improvement. Even the new Portal bridge replacement MAS (90 MPH) is just a rebuild as the original Portal had a 90 MPH limit that was reduced to 60 MPH due to determination. Granted there will not be the occasional delays due to bridge openings so on time reliability will improve.

The new Portal Bridge is supposed to have a higher clearance for ships, so that will reduce the amount of openings. BTW, when did Portal have a 90mph speed limit?

I think the new Portal Bridge is a fixed span above USCG river clearance, so it should dramatically reduce the number of openings.

 

[jis]

The problem with many projects to speed up transit times is as one section is upgraded to past standards another slowly deteriorates to a slower speed. Look at the SW chief. Now when the Harold bypass is completed then you have a permanent improvement. Even the new Portal bridge replacement MAS (90 MPH) is just a rebuild as the original Portal had a 90 MPH limit that was reduced to 60 MPH due to determination. Granted there will not be the occasional delays due to bridge openings so on time reliability will improve.

The new Portal Bridge is supposed to have a higher clearance for ships, so that will reduce the amount of openings. BTW, when did Portal have a 90mph speed limit?

The new Portal Bridge is a fixed structure. So one can state with certainty that it will have zero opening until such time that it falls into the river below - hopefully never, or at least very far in the future. It will have a clearance of 50' over mean water level as required by the US Coast Guard or whoever is the governing body for such things. And all this so that a few sewage sludge carrying barges can get through.
Yeah, when did it have 90mph? The highest I have ever heard is 70mph, and that too not from an extremely reliable source.

Before the Metroliner project what do you believe was the official maximum speed limit on the NEC?