USA: Amtrak has awarded construction and project management contracts for the $242 million Dock Bridge rehabilitation, clearing the way for major work to begin in New Jersey by the end of 2026.

Amtrak train crossing Dock Bridge over the Passaic River
An Amtrak Vermonter crosses Dock Bridge over the Passaic River. Photo: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

$242 Million Contracts Move the Project Toward Construction

Amtrak’s official announcement names Skanska as the design-bid-build contractor responsible for the rehabilitation work. LiRo-Hill will manage the project and oversee construction while working within Amtrak’s Capital Delivery Department.

The six-track lift bridge crosses the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison. More than 700 Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT and PATH trains use it each day, carrying over 200,000 passengers through one of the busiest sections of the Northeast Corridor. Four tracks are typically used by Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT, while the other two serve PATH.

Opened in 1935, the triple-span bridge has increasingly suffered reliability problems. Misaligned tracks, signal equipment and movable-bridge systems can delay trains, while failures involving sensors and other components have caused service disruptions.

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Fixed-Bridge Conversion Targets Recurring Failures

A US Coast Guard permit issued in late 2024 authorized the conversion of Dock Bridge from a movable structure to a fixed bridge. The work will strengthen and reinforce steel components and replace parts of the track, signaling equipment and overhead catenary system.

A revised project scope announced by the US Department of Transportation in April 2025 removed enhanced lighting and deferred work on structural elements that retained useful life, prioritizing safety and reliability. Amtrak now values the project at approximately $242 million. A $188 million Federal Railroad Administration grant will provide most of the funding, with Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT and PATH covering the balance.

Amtrak’s Dock Bridge project page lists an anticipated 2026 construction start and estimated completion in 2029. The new contract announcement specifies that major work will begin by the end of 2026.

A Critical Link for Northeast Corridor Passengers

“Dock Bridge is one of the most heavily used rail bridges in the United States and a critical link connecting New Jersey, New York, and the entire Northeast Corridor,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said.

The rehabilitation is part of a wider New York and New Jersey infrastructure program that includes the New York Penn Station Transformation, East River Tunnel rehabilitation, Portal North Bridge replacement, and upgrades to tracks, signals and power systems.

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