NJ Transit and Amtrak on March 16 placed the first track on the new Portal North Bridge into service.
A ceremonial first train over the new bridge, a fixed span, operated March 13, marking a “major milestone for service reliability on the Northeast Corridor,” said NJ Transit, as it begins transferring service. The ceremonial train consisted of MultiLevel coaches and an NJT ALP45-DP locomotive wrapped in graphics celebrating America’s 250th (YouTube video below). The second and final track will be placed into service on the new bridge in the fall. The original Portal Bridge, a moveable span more than 100 years old, will be demolished.
In October 2021, a $1.6 billion 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 said its work includes the bridge superstructure, approaches, and supporting rail infrastructure.
Recently, RT&S reported on 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.
“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 NJT President and CEO Kris Kolluri. “The first train over the new Portal North Bridge marked 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, [New Jersey] Governor [Mikie] Sherrill, and the US DOT,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris
“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 delay, 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.”
Editor’s Commentary: “The old Portal Bridge was completed just a few months after Mother Theresa was born. Infrastructure that old creates delays. Delays ruin birthday parties, preclude family dinners and create stress for someone just trying to get home after a long day at work. The growth of New Jersey relies on finishing projects like the Portal Bridge and the Gateway Tunnel. Because New Jersey will only keep growing if we keep moving,” said Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-N.J., pictured). Pardon me, but Mother Theresa? Seriously? How many people know who Mother Theresa was, and why is she relevant to Portal North Bridge? Just sayin’. – William C. Vantuono
