NJ Transit and State Officials Celebrate Groundbreaking of Next Phase of Raritan River Bridge Construction
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri joined Governor Phil Murphy, NJDOT Commissioner Francis O’Connor, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and other dignitaries to celebrate the groundbreaking of the next critical phase of the new Raritan River Bridge.
Image and caption courtesy of NJ TRANSIT via LinkedIn
PERTH AMBOY, N.J. - NJ TRANSIT and State officials joined in on the groundbreaking of the next phase of the Raritan River Bridge construction.
According to NJ TRANSIT, crews will begin construction and installation of the center span that lifts vertically and will replace the current 117-year-old swing bridge that rotates open. This span is what allows marine traffic to pass and connects Perth Amboy and South Amboy traffic. Built in 1908, the current bridge is “not designed to withstand the lateral forces due to ocean surges.” Superstorm Sandy damaged the bridge in 2012 when the bridge deck was moved out of its normal alignment. NJ TRANSIT says the damage caused by severe weather has “demonstrated the vulnerability” of the current structure. Its replacement will use a vertical lift and two-track movable span that will connect to the existing NJCL line.
Skanska Koch Inc of Carteret in New Jersey was awarded the construction contract, not exceeding $444,380,524. This includes five percent for construction contingencies and flanking spans, communication, signals, overhead catenary, and other work.
“Breaking ground on the lift span of the new Raritan River Bridge brings us another step closer to a more modern and resilient transportation network,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri. “This significant investment is a testament to our broader strategy and commitment to modernize all of our aging infrastructure that ensures continued reliability and connectivity for our customers.”
“Today’s groundbreaking marks a major milestone in NJ TRANSIT’s commitment to delivering safe, reliable and resilient infrastructure for the people of New Jersey,” said NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Fran O’Connor. “The new Raritan River Bridge will not only strengthen a critical transportation link along the North Jersey Coast Line but also safeguard this essential corridor against future extreme weather events.”
“Middlesex County Building and Construction Trades Council looks forward to working with NJ Transit and Skanska Koch on the Raritan River Bridge Replacement Project. Utilizing union labor ensures a highly skilled workforce that adheres to strict safety and quality standards. We thank Governor Murphy and NJ Transit for bringing us all together and ensuring that organized labor is at the table every step of the way,” said Bernard Cooke, President of the Middlesex County Building and Construction Trades Council.
“The Raritan River Bridge replacement project is a testament to what strategic infrastructure investment can do—not just for transportation, but for working families and the regional economy,” said Assistant Executive Secretary – Treasurer of Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and member of NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors Anthony Abrantes. “This bridge has carried generations across the Raritan for more than a century, and its replacement ensures that the next hundred years are built on a foundation of safety, resilience, and opportunity. Projects like this are critical to workforce development, offering real careers with family-sustaining wages and training that prepares workers for the future. We’re proud to be part of a project that honors the history of this region while laying the tracks for economic growth and mobility across New Jersey.”
