Portal North Bridge opens first track on Northeast Corridor

Portal North Bridge entered a new phase. NJ Transit and Amtrak marked the first-track opening, as reported by Railway Supply. Gov. Mikie Sherrill joined rail agency representatives for a ceremonial train ride.

Portal North Bridge service begins on the Northeast Corridor

Officials said the track enters passenger service on March 16. Also, they said the ceremonial first ride marked the opening of the bridge for service. Meanwhile, they called the new bridge a milestone for Northeast Corridor reliability. When opened, it will transfer service from the current 116-year-old swing bridge. The swing bridge has long caused delays on the nation’s busiest rail line. In addition, a second track will be moved onto the bridge in the fall.

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“Today marks a historic step forward for New Jersey’s transportation future. For decades, the old Portal Bridge has been a source of delays and frustration for the hundreds of thousands of commuters and travelers who rely on the Northeast Corridor every day,” Sherrill said. “With the first train now crossing the new Portal North Bridge, we are delivering a modern, reliable piece of infrastructure that will strengthen our economy, improve the daily commute and support the entire Northeast Corridor.”

Old Portal Bridge replacement over the Hackensack River

Separately, U.S. Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ) said the bridge infrastructure had created long delays. It was completed just a few months after Mother Theresa was born. Still, she said the new bridge will speed trips to work and home. It will also provide more economic growth for New Jersey.

On Feb. 13, NJ Transit and Amtrak began the critical work, as Amtrak said. The work moved one track of service from the old bridge to the Portal Bridge. The Portal Bridge is over the Hackensack River. At the same time, the work required temporary schedule adjustments for NJ Transit and Amtrak. Meanwhile, regular NJ Transit service resumed on March 15, according to NJ TRANSIT.

NJ Transit and Amtrak move toward the second track

Also, NJ DOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Priya Jain commented on the replacement. “Replacing the aging Portal Bridge with a modern structure will significantly improve reliability for the hundreds of trains that cross the Hackensack River every day,” NJ DOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Priya Jain said. “This progress reflects years of collaboration between federal, state, and regional partners and brings us one step closer to delivering the resilient, 21st-century infrastructure our commuters, residents and businesses depend on.”

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