Portal North Bridge First Track Opens March 16
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Portal North Bridge
Amtrak
KEARNY, N.J. - NJ Transit and Amtrak prepare to open the first track on the new Portal North Bridge in New Jersey.
On Monday, March 16, one track will officially go into passenger service. The ceremonial first train over the new bridge marks a “major milestone for service reliability on the Northeast Corridor,” says NJ Transit, as it begins transferring service. The first train was led by NJ Transit’s locomotive wrapped in graphics to celebrate America’s 250th. As the project progresses, a second and final track will be moved to the new bridge in the fall.
“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-thousand NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak riders every weekday,” said NJ TRANSIT President & 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 Portal North Bridge represents the first major bridge project cutover completed on the Northeast Corridor, and we’re proud to celebrate this tremendous milestone with our partners at NJ TRANSIT, Governor Sherrill, and the US DOT,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “You’ve heard about the benefits that this new bridge will bring for a more reliable trip, and starting Monday, it’s finally time to start experiencing them.”
In October 2021, a $1,559,993,000 construction contract was awarded to Skanska/Traylor Bros PNB Joint Venture (STJV), making it the “single largest construction award in NJ Transit’s history.” Skanska says its work includes the bridge superstructure, approaches, and supporting rail infrastructure.
“The completion of the Portal North Bridge is a landmark achievement for the Northeast Corridor, replacing a century-old structure with a modern, fixed network tied arch bridge that enhances reliability, reduces delays, and reinforces the resilience of one of the nation’s busiest rail corridors,” said Brian Reilly, Portal North Bridge Project Director, Skanska USA Civil. “Delivered with our joint venture partner Traylor Bros., this project provides safer, more efficient travel for the millions of passengers who rely on it each year and represents a significant step forward in building stronger, future-ready rail infrastructure for generations to come.”
Recently, RT&S reported of the progress and construction photos. The project spans 2.44 miles of the NEC. NJ Transit and Amtrak shared the estimated quantities of materials used. These include 45 million pounds of steel, 219,000 cubic yards of concrete, 185,000 linear feet of pipe piles, 20,000 linear feet of drilled shafts, 4,850 linear feet of retaining walls, and 3,289 linear feet of construction access platforms. Crews have worked to construct retaining walls, concrete piers, structural steel bridge spans, foundations, and are scheduled to demolish the existing bridge in 2027. The project is part of the Gateway Program which seeks to double rail capacity between Newark and New York.
CONTINUED READING
- Portal North Bridge Cutover Coming Soon
- Amtrak Shares Portal North Bridge Progress
- Portal North Bridge’s Third Arch In Place
