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We are getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the complex work underway to connect the new Portal North Bridge to the existing rail line. New photos show crews in action as they complete a historic track “cutover” over the Hackensack River.
The effort, led by NJ Transit and Amtrak, involves shifting one track from the aging Portal Bridge to the new Portal North Bridge. It marks the first major bridge cutover project ever on the Northeast Corridor. It’s also a critical step toward improving long-term reliability and capacity for the more than 200,000 daily riders.
As NJBIZ has reported, this phase has resulted in temporary service adjustment for commuters. During the transition, trains are operating on a single track between Newark and Secaucus, with fewer weekday trains into New York Penn Station and Midtown Direct service diverted to Hoboken through March 15. Crews have been working around the clock since February to install new track, finalize catenary systems and test signal infrastructure as they tie the new span into the existing railroad. The project is part of the broader Gateway Program to modernize one of the nation’s busiest rail corridors.
