New Bridge Connecting NJ-NY Passenger Rail Now in Operation

In the busy northeast corridor, NJ TRANSIT started passenger service on one track of the new Portal North Bridge, which will eventually replace the century-old Portal swing bridge. The new higher bridge allows marine traffic on the Hackensack River to move beneath it, removing a major source of service disruption. The second track of the bridge is expected to be moved in the fall.

The bridge is a critical link between Newark, NJ, and Penn Station, NY, delivering passengers on both NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak. It is also an important element of the broader Gateway Program that aims to double rail capacity between Newark and New York.

“The segment of the Northeast Corridor between Newark and New York is the busiest stretch of rail in the country, carrying more than 400 trains and 200,000 NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak riders every weekday,” said NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri. “The first train over the new Portal North Bridge marks a major milestone toward completing one of the most consequential infrastructure projects in the nation and delivering the reliability our customers expect and deserve.”

The project received funding from USDOT, New Jersey, New York, and Amtrak. NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Priya Jain said, “This progress reflects years of collaboration between federal, state, and regional partners and brings us one step closer to delivering the resilient, 21^st century infrastructure our commuters, residents, and businesses depend on.”

Over the weekend, a ceremonial first train traversed the bridge, marking the completion of the first phase of the project.