The MTA says Amtrak's summer work at Penn Station is causing delays for the ongoing East Side Access project.

Once complete, the East Side Access project is expected to help minimize the impact when there are railroad problems and Penn Station troubles by giving commuters another option to get to Grand Central Station.

"East Side Access has been delayed so many years many people believe it will never happen," says Charles Moerdler, of the MTA. "If East Side Access had opened on time, there would not be the 'Summer of Hell.'"

Transit officials say 162,000 are expected to use the East Side Access daily when it's finally complete.

But at Monday's MTA board meeting, officials said the project is being delayed by the Amtrak infrastructure work.

However, MTA officials said that so far, Amtrak's work is proceeding on schedule. About two weeks into the two-month project, it is now about 30 percent complete overall.