After years of construction, one of the Northeast Corridor’s most critical rail infrastructure projects is beginning to take shape.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, NJ TRANSIT, and Amtrak celebrated a major milestone on March 12 at the Portal North Bridge in Kearny by riding a ceremonial train over the bridge, which will officially have one track enter passenger service on Monday, March 16.

The new bridge marks a historic moment in transferring service from the current 116-year-old swing bridge, which, according to the agency, has long been a source of delays. The second and final track will be moved onto the new bridge in the fall.

“Infrastructure that old creates delays, delays ruin birthday parties, preclude family dinners, and create stress for someone just trying to get home after a long day at work,” said Congresswoman Nellie Pou. “he growth of New Jersey relies on finishing projects like the Portal Bridge and the Gateway Tunnel. Because New Jersey will only keep growing if we keep moving.”

“With the first train now crossing the new Portal North Bridge, we are delivering a modern, reliable piece of infrastructure that will strengthen our economy, improve the daily commute, and support the entire Northeast Corridor,” Sherrill said.

The ceremonial first train was led by NJ TRANSIT’s locomotive wrapped in graphics celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

Portal North Bridge Project Milestones Over the Years

OnFebruary 13, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak began critical work to transfer one track of rail service from the old Portal Bridge to the new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River. The work required temporary service adjustments to NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak schedules.

The project is being funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, New Jersey, New York, and Amtrak. In January 2021, former Governor Phil Murphy announced the signing of a Full Funding Grant Agreement, which secured $766.5 million in Federal Transit Administration funding to support the project’s construction.

In October 2021, Governor Murphy and NJ TRANSIT announced the approval of a $1,559,993,000 construction contract awarded to Skanska/Traylor Bros PNB Joint Venture (STJV) for the construction of the new Portal North Bridge. The contract represents the single largest construction award in NJ TRANSIT’s history.

The Portal North Bridge project spans 2.44 miles of the Northeast Corridor line and includes construction of retaining walls, deep foundations, concrete piers, structural steel bridge spans, rail systems, demolition of the existing bridge, and related incidental works. The project is a critical component of the larger Gateway Program, which will eventually double rail capacity between Newark and New York.

The new Portal North Bridge rises 50 ft. above the Hackensack River, doubling the clearance and allowing marine traffic to pass beneath without disrupting rail traffic.

The current Portal Bridge is scheduled to be dismantled in 2027.