(The Associated Press circulated the following story on January 14.)
FRESNO, Calif. — A maintenance project designed to improve freight train service between Fresno and Bakersfield will begin Thursday, and while it lasts, Amtrak will bus its passengers back and forth, company officials said.
The $16.5 million project by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Co. will repair a bridge and the track but will disrupt the commute of about 2,000 passengers daily, Amtrak spokeswoman Sarah Swain said.
Buses will run six times a day – except Friday and Monday_ during the two weeks the project is expected to last. Swain said this was meant to minimize impact on customers and on communities like Laton, Hanford, Corcoran and Wasco that rely on the service.
The project will replace about 12 miles of track, install new wood crossties, and improve drainage. A bridge and 18 crossings will be improved, he said.