Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT will begin the final major construction phase of the $1.56 billion Portal North Bridge on October 9, moving the project closer to replacing the century-old rail crossing over New Jersey’s Hackensack River.
Crews will transfer the final track from the existing Portal Bridge to the new fixed-span structure between Kearny and Secaucus. The work will include connecting and testing track, overhead electrical equipment, signals and communications systems.
The cutover is scheduled to continue through November 14. Regular NJ TRANSIT schedules are expected to resume November 15, subject to testing and commissioning.
Final connection to the new bridge
The Portal North Bridge is being built as a fixed, two-track structure on the Northeast Corridor, the heavily traveled passenger rail route linking New York and Washington, D.C.
One track on the new bridge entered service earlier this year. The October work will connect the second track, allowing both tracks to operate on the replacement structure.
Once the new bridge is fully operational, the existing Portal Bridge will eventually be removed.
The current bridge opened in 1910 and carries trains over the Hackensack River on a movable span. Its age and mechanical limitations have contributed to delays and disruptions on the Northeast Corridor.
The replacement bridge will stand about 50 feet above the river. Its fixed design will allow marine traffic to pass underneath without requiring the rail bridge to open.
Five weeks of service changes
The construction will temporarily affect NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak service.
The main timetable changes are scheduled to begin October 11, with modified service continuing for about five weeks.
Weekday Midtown Direct trains serving the Morristown, Gladstone and Montclair-Boonton lines will terminate at Hoboken instead of continuing to New York Penn Station. Passengers will need to use alternative connections, including PATH trains, ferries and NJ TRANSIT buses.
Some Amtrak services, including Acela, Northeast Regional and Keystone trains, will also operate under modified schedules.
Passengers are being advised to check schedules before traveling, allow additional time and prepare for increased demand on alternative services.
A major Northeast Corridor upgrade
The Portal North Bridge project includes about 2.44 miles of bridge and rail approaches. Beyond the river crossing, construction includes foundations, retaining walls, embankments, track, overhead power, signals and communications infrastructure.
The project is expected to improve reliability and increase rail capacity through one of the Northeast Corridor’s busiest sections.
NJ TRANSIT estimates the new infrastructure could increase peak-hour passenger capacity by about 14.4 percent.
Portal North Bridge is also a key component of the broader Gateway Program, which is upgrading rail infrastructure between New Jersey and New York. The program includes planned improvements to the Hudson River rail tunnels and other infrastructure along the corridor.
The October 9 track transfer therefore marks more than another construction milestone. It is the final major connection needed to transition the two-track crossing to the new bridge, although testing and commissioning will continue before the project enters full operation.
Project factsheet: Portal North Bridge
- Location: Kearny and Secaucus, Hudson County, New Jersey
- River: Hackensack River
- Project cost: Approximately $1.56 billion
- Bridge: Fixed, two-track rail bridge
- Project length: Approximately 2.44 miles, including approaches
- Partners: NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak and Gateway Development Commission
- Main contractor: Skanska/Traylor Bros PNB Joint Venture
- Final track cutover: October 9, 2026
- Service changes begin: October 11, 2026
- Scheduled cutover completion: November 14, 2026
- Expected regular NJ TRANSIT service: November 15, 2026
- Primary benefit: Improved rail reliability and capacity
- Existing bridge: Opened in 1910 and will eventually be removed
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