Once construction begins, the construction contract is anticipated to take approximately five and a half years to complete. Amtrak executives say replacing the bridge will improve reliability for Amtrak passengers and New Jersey Transit riders. The Portal North Bridge Project is one of New Jersey’s most important transportation projects, replacing the century-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey. The existing bridge is a major bottleneck and source of delays to both NJ Transit and Amtrak due to its aging mechanical and electrical components. On November 26, 2024, the first of three massive arches to support the new Portal North Bridge was delivered by barge after a 30-hour journey down the Hudson River. This milestone marks a significant step toward replacing the aging infrastructure and improving rail service along the busiest stretch of passenger rail in the country.

President Biden and Governor Murphy Break Ground on the Portal North Bridge

The new bridge is part of the broader Gateway Program that will eventually double rail capacity between Newark and New York. “Because it’s 50 feet over the water, it will not need to be opened. So it will be fixed. So all those issues related to opening and closing the bridge and the unreliability of that will go away,” Amtrak vice president Jaidev Sankar said. The new span will replace the the existing 114-year-old Portal Bridge, which opens for river traffic and often has mechanical issues.

Groundbreaking marks start of work to replace New Jersey’s Portal Bridge

• If you’ve taken the train across the Hackensack River into Manhattan, chances are you’ve been delayed by problems at the Portal Bridge.
• A significant aspect of this project is the technical innovation and resilience brought forth by R.J.
• The existing, century-old Portal Bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and entered revenue service in November 1910.
• Skanska-Traylor PNB Joint Venture of Queens, New York was deemed the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.
• The $1,559,993,000 construction contract for the project, the largest award in NJ TRANSIT’s history, includes construction of retaining walls, deep foundations, concrete piers, structural steel bridge spans, rail systems, demolition of the existing bridge, and related incidental works.
• From heavy machinery operators to structural engineers, the collaborative effort of the construction workers and skilled laborers is vital in executing a large-scale infrastructure project of this magnitude.

The engineering challenges addressed include managing the movement of the expansion bearings, which is approximately 62.5 inches every day (one way) for the arches and 31 inches every day (one way) for the approach girders over a minimum 50-year service period. The Portal North Bridge Project is a testament to the importance of investing in modern infrastructure to support the growing demands of the Northeast Corridor. The Gateway Program, of which the Portal North Bridge Project is a part, represents a significant step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability and efficiency of the region’s rail network. The gray hairs that went mostly unmentioned Monday were those of the commuters who must deal with more unpredictable delays and other frustrations of commuting on the busiest stretch of rail in the country — one that has not received the proper investment in recent decades to prevent delays and outages.

Replacement

The Portal North Bridge Project is a crucial component of the broader Gateway Program, the most important infrastructure project in the country, aimed at improving the reliability, resiliency, and capacity of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) rail line between Newark, New Jersey, and New York City. When completed, The Gateway Program will double rail capacity and enhance service along this heavily trafficked route. Including supporting more one seat rides to New York Penn Station from New Jersey. The Portal North Bridge will replace the outdated swing bridge with a modern, high-level fixed span that does not open or close, thereby eliminating the movable components and the risk of malfunction. The existing Portal Bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and entered revenue service in November 1910.

• The procurement was a two-step process, the initial step being the Special Pre-Qualification of Bidders.
• “And when the new tunnel’s open, you’ll have four tracks all the way into New York with modern signals,” Corbett said.
• Building, transporting, and installing each arch requires careful coordination and precision.
• Also in January 2021, NJ TRANSIT advertised the Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the construction contract.
• The Portal North Bridge Project is one of New Jersey’s most important transportation projects, replacing the century-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey.
• The Portal Bridge, also known as the “Portal,” was opened in 1910 by the Pennsylvania Railroad to allow maritime traffic to pass through by swinging open its middle span.
• Portal North Bridge project is an important initial element of the broader Gateway Program which will eventually double rail capacity between Newark and New York.

RJ Watson’s Role in the Portal North Bridge Transformation

• Portal North Bridge project is an important initial element of the broader Gateway Program which will eventually double rail capacity between Newark and New York.
• It was because of improved relationships and partnerships between the agencies and assistance from legislative leaders in Washington that they were able to accomplish that and the success of the project so far, Corbett added.
• The Portal North Bridge Project is one of New Jersey’s most important transportation projects, replacing the century-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey.
• The Portal Bridge, also known as the “Portal,” was opened in 1910 by the Pennsylvania Railroad to allow maritime traffic to pass through by swinging open its middle span.
• 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.

A new bridge will also permit higher trackspeeds and increased capacity and save millions of dollars in maintenancecosts. These trains are often delayed at the Portal Bridge—the agingmechanical & electrical components sometimes malfunction while opening andclosing, causing a cascade of delays. Two blocks are at each end of the bridge while two more sit adjacent to the center of the bridge. After the wedges are withdrawn, the center-bearing supports the structure as the bridge is swung open and returns it to its closed position once the river traffic has passed through one or both of the navigation channels.

• The project is being funded by the US Department of Transportation, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak.
• Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT continue to advance project construction and achieved 75% completion in Fall 2024 when the the first of three arches were delivered to the project site and installed.
• This testing is indicative of the project’s commitment to safety and durability, setting a new standard for infrastructure projects in the region.
• Portal Bridge stands out with its low fees, speed, and seamless support for multiple blockchains, ensuring the best experience for users and developers.
• The massive infrastructure investment represents the single largest construction award in NJ TRANSIT’s history and further exemplifies the Murphy Administration’s commitment to funding projects that will help New Jersey continue to grow and prosper for generations to come.
• Opened in November 1910,[3] the bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in conjunction with service to the newly constructed Pennsylvania Station in New York City.

First arch installed for new Portal Bridge; trains expected to cross in spring 2026

The new bridge will rise 50-feet over the Hackensack River and will allow marine traffic to pass underneath without interrupting rail traffic. A two-track replacement bridge – Portal North – will replace this outdated relic with a modern, high-level fixed span that does not open or close, eliminating the movable components and risk of malfunction. The new bridge will rise 50-feet over the river and, including the approaches, span nearly 2.5 miles of the Northeast Corridor.

Exploring Portal Bridge’s Ecosystem

It will be a taller, fixed-span replacement for the 114-year-old swing span that has been prone to getting stuck in recent years, causing major delays to NJ Transit and Amtrak trains headed in and out of Manhattan. This milestone comes as President Donald Trump’s federal spending cuts and freezes worry officials at all levels of government, especially in transportation, where large capital projects have long lead times and require federal aid. KEARNY — Riders on one of the more than 450 trains that cross the Portal Bridge on any given day can now see the third and final arch pressed into place on the structure that will replace the decrepit swing-span bridge. In October 2021, the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors approved a contract with Skanska/Traylor Bros Joint Venture for the construction of the new Portal North Bridge. The $1,559,993,000 construction contract for the project, the largest award in NJ TRANSIT’s history, includes construction of retaining walls, deep foundations, concrete piers, structural steel bridge spans, rail systems, demolition of the existing bridge, and related incidental works.

Portal North Bridge’s final arch put into place as construction continues

As of 2020[update], Amtrak operated some 293 scheduled trains a week in both directions (about 42 per day) over this segment of the Northeast Corridor between Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station. Five NJ Transit rail lines (Northeast Corridor Line, North Jersey Coast Line, Morris and Essex Lines, Montclair-Boonton Line, and Raritan Valley Line) with 388 trains use the bridge each weekday in both directions. The project is being funded by the US Department of Transportation, Transportation Trust Fund, New Jersey Turnpike Authority and Amtrak. In January 2021, Governor 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 final design and construction. In January 2021, Governor 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. The project is being funded by the US Department of Transportation, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak.

Services

The massive infrastructure investment represents the single largest construction award in NJ TRANSIT’s history and further exemplifies the Murphy Administration’s commitment to funding projects that will help New Jersey continue to grow and prosper for generations to come. “We stand here today at the groundbreaking for the Portal North Bridge because, after a decade of dithering and divisiveness by others, Governor Phil Murphy said ‘damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead’,” said Gateway Development Commission Member Jerry Zaro. Portal North Bridge project is an important initial element of the broader Gateway Program which will eventually double rail capacity between Newark and New York.

• The bridge earned the name “Portal,” because it leads the Northeast Corridor (NEC) rail line to the “portal” of the North River Tunnel, located just three miles away.
• However, this functionality has led to frequent malfunctions and delays, especially given the bridge’s age and fragility.
• The Portal North Bridge project is an important initial element of the broader Gateway Program which will eventually double rail capacity between Newark and New York.
• There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data.
• The new bridge, comprising three 400-foot-long tied arches over the Hackensack River, will improve 2.44 miles to the Northeast Corridor rail line, benefiting both Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains.
• Earlier this month, Governor Murphy and NJ TRANSIT Board Members announced the approval of a $1,559,993,000 construction contract for the Portal North Bridge.

Portal Token Bridge:

Awarded in October 2021, the project is a $1.56 billion design-build effort by the Skanska/Traylor Bros Joint Venture, with design responsibilities handled by Portal Partners, J.V., consisting of Gannett Fleming, HNTB, and Jacobs. The endeavor is not only notable for its size, stretching nearly 2.5 miles including the main and approach spans, but also for its engineering complexity. The new bridge, comprising three 400-foot-long tied arches over the Hackensack River, will improve 2.44 miles to the Northeast Corridor rail line, benefiting both Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains. In addition to the Portal North Bridge, the $16 billion Gateway program is currently in construction, in part to build new tunnels with which the tracks to this bridge will ultimately connect. Officials are shepherding a number of other projects that are also in the design and engineering phases, hoping to get to construction as long as there is federal funding available to supplement dollars from New York, New Jersey and Amtrak.

That arch will soon slide into its connecting span on the east side. It’s one of three arches that make up the bridge.

Built in 1910, the existingPortal Bridge is a two-track moveable swing span over the Hackensack River, anda critical link in the 10 mile stretch taking trains into and out of New York.This bridge, like the North River Tunnel, is a key choke point along theNortheast Corridor, and is in dire need of replacement. Once the infrastructure bill is enacted, we will have more than enough money to fully fund these projects. I applaud President Biden and Gov. Murphy on highlighting this project that is key to the future of our states, our region, and the entire country’s economic well-being.

• The existing, century-old Portal Bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and entered revenue service in November 1910.
• When completed, The Gateway Program will double rail capacity and enhance service along this heavily trafficked route.
• Rail service is currently at capacity, having grown from 40,000 daily passengers in 2005[15] to 150,000 to 200,000 daily passengers in 2015[2][3] on approximately 450 daily trains[1] for Amtrak and New Jersey Transit.
• From heavy machinery operators to structural engineers, the collaborative effort of the construction workers and skilled laborers is vital in executing a large-scale infrastructure project of this magnitude.
• With that, 80% of the construction is done on the Portal North Bridge, the $2.3 billion project to replace its 114-year-old, breakdown-prone predecessor.
• Skanska-Traylor PNB Joint Venture of Queens, New York was deemed the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.
• The average bridge clearance of 20 feet (6.1 m) (depending on the tide) requires it to swing open to allow maritime traffic to pass underneath it.

Officials say the new bridge is higher, and will not have to open and close. If you’ve taken the train across the Hackensack River into Manhattan, chances are you’ve been delayed by problems at the Portal Bridge. – The first of three arches for the Portal North Bridge arrived at the construction site in Kearny Tuesday. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. It was because of improved relationships and partnerships between the agencies and assistance from legislative leaders in Washington that they were able to accomplish that and the success of the project so far, Corbett added.

Part of the Gateway Program

The two-track, moveable span is a major bottleneck and source of delay, particularly when the aging bridge malfunctions during opening and closing for maritime traffic. “For hundreds of thousands of New Jersey’s daily rail commuters, travel has been dictated by the limitations of aging infrastructure. However, the arrival of one of the Portal North Bridge’s three arches marks a significant step toward upgrading this vital section of the Northeast Corridor,” Senator Cory Booker said. The Portal Bridge, also known as the “Portal,” was opened in 1910 by the Pennsylvania Railroad to allow maritime traffic to pass through by swinging open its middle span. However, this functionality has led to frequent malfunctions and delays, especially given the bridge’s age and fragility. At times, rail engineers have had to use a sledgehammer to nudge the bridge closed.

Only 23 feet of clearance separate the Hackensack River and the bottom of the bridge. The Portal North Bridge project is an important initial element of the broader Gateway Program which will eventually double rail capacity between Newark and New York. The project will eliminate the existing 110-year-old swing portal bridge bridge which has been the enduring source of major service disruptions for NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak customers traveling on the Northeast Corridor. Earlier this month, Governor Murphy and NJ TRANSIT Board Members announced the approval of a $1,559,993,000 construction contract for the Portal North Bridge.

River traffic

“The jobs, economic growth, and most important improved quality of life Gateway brings will pay dividends for generations to come.” The next arch is scheduled to be installed in early 2025, continuing the progress of this transformative project. Each arch weighs approximately 2,500 tons and measures about 400 feet long and 80 feet tall. Building, transporting, and installing each arch requires careful coordination and precision. From heavy machinery operators to structural engineers, the collaborative effort of the construction workers and skilled laborers is vital in executing a large-scale infrastructure project of this magnitude.

The new bridge is a modern two track, high level, fixed-span bridge that will improve service and capacity along this section of the Northeast Corridor. Rail service is currently at capacity, having grown from 40,000 daily passengers in 2005[15] to 150,000 to 200,000 daily passengers in 2015[2][3] on approximately 450 daily trains[1] for Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. Opened in November 1910,[3] the bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in conjunction with service to the newly constructed Pennsylvania Station in New York City. The average bridge clearance of 20 feet (6.1 m) (depending on the tide) requires it to swing open to allow maritime traffic to pass underneath it.

Replacement

While Trump was accused of slowing down the Gateway tunnels project to retaliate against then-Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer during his first term, his administration did approve the Portal North Bridge project in 2020. Gov. Phil Murphy also increased the local funding pledge for the bridge to $600 million, using 30-year bonds that would be repaid by the state Transportation Trust Fund. “Most of infrastructure, when it’s doing its job, people don’t know about it,” Gardner said. “People know about Portal Bridge because sometimes it gets stuck in the open position, it’s caught on fire a few times — it’s deserved its retirement day for a long time. “There is the construction work with all these assets here and then there’s the cutover, which is the interface of the existing railway — so there’s more work than what you see here that has to happen, and that’s interfacing the existing tracks, switches and signals,” said Stephen Gardner, CEO of Amtrak. “This is not just about moving people through the corridor daily in a safe and reliable manner, but it is about making sure that we have an infrastructure worthy of the 21st century,” Kolluri said. Roughly 450 trains cross the old Portal Bridge daily, carrying some 200,000 Amtrak and NJ Transit riders over the Hackensack River.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bridge carried more than 450 daily Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT trains and 200,000 daily passengers over the Hackensack River – a critical link in the congested territory between Newark, New Jersey and Penn Station, New York. This two-track, moveable swing span is a major bottleneck and source of delays, particularly when the aging bridge malfunctions during opening and closing for maritime traffic. 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 new bridge is a modern two-track, high-level, fixed-span bridge that will improve service and capacity along this section of the Northeast Corridor.