Why the overhead wires powering NJ Transit, Amtrak trains keep breaking

[Think. Again.]

5. True, but...

...the "taking up the slack" comment downplays the actual difficulty involved in continually repairing and maintaining the centary system of overhead electrical conduits.

Further along along in the article, the cost of bringing that specific system up to par is mentioned, $1.4 Billion.

From the article:

Other solutions include horizontal “stich” lines to straighten the dips in catenary lines between the support poles, Spasovic said.
A longer-term solution is to have flexible hydraulic tensioners installed that can generate a proper tension for different air temperatures, he said.
“They need a system whose tension is air temperature dependent. It will evaluate the ambient temperature and provide a proper tension to the catenary,” Spasovic said.
The Northeast Corridor Commission recommended a $1.4 billion project to replace and repair catenary in sections of the corridor that haven’t already been upgraded.