KEARNY, N.J. — The Portal North Bridge, the structure replacing the 114-year swing bridge that has long been an issue for Northeast Corridor rail operations, has reached 50% completion, NJ Transit and Amtrak announced on Monday.
The current bridge over the Hackensack River and frequently fails to lock back into place after it is opened, a problem that was ultimately lessened by Coast Guard rules limiting openings during peak commute periods [see “Coast Guard to make permanent ban …,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 2, 2019]. The new bridge clears the river by 50 feet — nearly double the height of the current bridge — allowing it to be a fixed span and eliminate the need for openings and closings.
“Less than two years after officially breaking ground in August 2022, NJ Transit is pleased to be able to demonstrate that mega-projects in the Northeast can be advanced on-time and on budget,” NJ Transit CEO Kevin S. Corbett said in a press release. “The new Portal North Bridge will significantly enhance the customer experience for New Jerseyans, as well as all those commuting along the entire Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., and Boston.”
“With 50% of construction complete, Portal North Bridge serves as the shining example for what Amtrak and its partners can accomplish when we have the investments, partnerships and commitment to build the new era of America’s rail infrastructure projects,” said Tony Coscia, Amtrak board chairman.
NJ Transit awarded a $1.56 billion project for the bridge in October 2021, the largest single construction award in the agency’s history [see “NJ Transit approves contract for Portal Bridge replacement,” News Wire, Oct. 13, 2021]. The Federal Transit Administration provided $766.5 million in funding. Completion is currently expected in 2027; more project information from Amtrak is available here.
It gets complicated. Secaucus Jct. (Lautenberg) Station is about 1/2 mile East of the Portal Bridges. Here, AMTK (PRR) crosses over NJT (Erie) with no track connection and passengers making a foot connection.
AMTK will have to install track, catenary and the necessary switches and signals to replace the old line.
Good news is the new bridge will be high enough to clear river traffic and will not have to be a movable bridge.
So what is the estimated completion date and how long after that will it be in full use? Another two years?
The story says three years. It won’t be complete until 2027, 5 years after start.
The NJT website indicates one track to be in operation in 2026.