KEARNY, N.J. — Amtrak has awarded contracts for another major Northeast Corridor project, the Sawtooth Bridge replacement, the company announced Thursday, Dec. 19.
A Skansa, Walsh & Herzog joint venture received the contract for pre-construction activities, with future contract opportunities for the project’s full construction. A joint venture of AECOM and STV also received a contract for pre-construction support services and project management during construction.
The Sawtooth Bridges in Kearney date to 1907. They carry more than 400 Amtrak and NJ Transit trains daily over tracks used by NJ Transit, PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) rail service, and Conrail freight traffic. The new bridges will double the number of tracks, from two to four, and allow 90 mph operation instead of the current 60 mph restriction because of the age of the structures. The project involves three bridges in a 1.9-mile area: one realigning NJ Transit’s Morris & Essex line to make room for the additional Northeast Corridor tracks; one adding two tracks on the NEC, and one replacing the two-track bridge from 1907.
Laura Mason, Amtrak executive vice president, capital delivery, said in a press release that the contract awards mark “an important step for this extremely complex and critical investment that will improve commuter and intercity passenger rail in the busiest section of the NEC.” Amtrak is making strides to address decades of underinvestment as we rebuild America’s Railroad for the next generation. We thank our partners at NJ TRANSIT, PATH and Conrail, as well as elected officials from across the region for supporting this project that advances our common goal of enhancing and expanding rail service in New Jersey, New York, and beyond.” NJ Transit CEO Kevin S. Corbett said the project is “addressing delays caused by century-old infrastructure to improve capacity, travel time, and reliability for our customers.”
The project, estimated to cost about $1.6 billion as of 2022, has an estimated completion date of 2032. More on the project is available here.
