Amtrak chairman Wick Moorman is testifying in front of the state Assembly's Standing Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions about improvements that will be made at Penn Station in the wake of nightmare commutes for riders on the Long Island Rail Road. 

Mark Epstein, of the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council, says he learned that a total shutdown of some tracks would begin on July 7. He says the chairman says the work would take place "at night." 

"I'm not sure what 'at night' means," says Epstein. "I know my definition differs from the Long Island Rail Road's as far as to what's peak and not peak…This is going to be a very difficult summer for commuters."

He also says that the Amtrak chairman indicated that track work would go into next year. 

"We just hope this isn't a window dressing. We want to see the merchandise." 

Epstein says he has not heard about fixes to signal problems that have plagued the East River tunnels in recent weeks.