The basics:
- Amtrak shifts one track to new Portal North Bridge over Hackensack River
- NJ Transit schedules modified Feb. 15–March 15
- Midtown Direct weekday trains diverted to Hoboken
- Project part of Gateway Program to boost Northeast Corridor reliability
As construction of the new Portal North Bridge enters its final phase, Amtrak will begin critical “cutover” work Feb. 13.
The project will shift one track from the 114-year-old Portal Bridge to the new span over the Hackensack River. The move will prompt temporary service changes for NJ Transit and Amtrak riders.
The milestone undertaking, part of the broader Gateway Program, aims to improve long-term reliability and capacity along the Northeast Corridor. The new Portal North Bridge is a two-track, fixed-span bridge rising 50 feet above the river. It will replace the aging swing bridge, which has long caused delays.
A second cutover is planned for fall 2026. After that work, the new bridge will carry all rail traffic, improving reliability, resiliency and future capacity on one of the nation’s busiest rail corridors.
What to expect
From Feb. 15 through approximately March 15, modified schedules, train consolidations, cancellations and adjusted departure times will affect all rail lines except the Atlantic City Rail Line. NJ Transit expects to resume regular schedules March 15, pending completion of safety testing.
Service disruption info
More information on the alternate service and special schedules is available here.
During the work, all trains crossing the Hackensack River will operate on a single track between Newark and Secaucus. This will reduce weekday service frequency. NJ Transit’s Midtown Direct weekday service will divert to Hoboken instead of New York Penn Station. Weekend Midtown Direct trains will continue operating to and from New York.
To accommodate diverted riders, NJ Transit tickets will be cross-honored on PATH (at Hoboken and 33rd Street), NY Waterway ferries and NJ Transit’s No. 126 bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. PATH plans to increase peak service, but warns of possible crowding at Hoboken and other stations.
NJ Transit encourages customers to work remotely or travel outside peak hours if possible.
‘Temporary’ disruptions, long-lasting benefits
“We understand that this work will disrupt the way our customers travel during the cutover period, which is why every element of our service plan was designed to keep people moving as safely and efficiently as possible,” NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri said in a press release last month announcing the service changes. “While the disruption is temporary, the benefits – including a far more reliable and resilient commute along the Northeast Corridor – will last for generations.”
“The cutover of the Portal North Bridge represents more than just work to connect railroad infrastructure; it signifies a whole new level of reliability on the Northeast Corridor and New Jersey that has never previously existed,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “In just a few short weeks, we will reward the patience of Amtrak and NJ Transit customers by helping eliminate a cause of long delays and unreliable commutes.”
The advancement of the Portal North Bridge project comes as another key component of the broader Gateway Program – the Hudson Tunnel Project – remains grounded amid a federal funding fight and litigation, as NJBIZ has extensively reported on.
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