FIRST OF THREE ARCHES FOR PORTAL NORTH BRIDGE DELIVERED BY BARGE DOWN HUDSON RIVER
Critical Bridge Replacement Project Will Improve Rail Service Along Busiest Rail Corridor in the
November 26, 2024
KEARNY, NJ – Following a 30-hour journey down the Hudson River, the first of three massive arches to support the new Portal North Bridge arrived at the construction site, bringing the project a giant leap closer to completion. The new bridge will replace the current 114-year-old swing bridge, which opens for maritime traffic and often has mechanical issues, resulting in service delays. The new bridge is a fixed span that eliminates the need to open and close, improving the experiences of thousands of daily commuters along the busiest stretch of passenger rail in the country.
“Today marks an important milestone for the Gateway Program with the arrival of a new arch that will help replace the century old Portal North Bridge,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Together, we are transforming the Portal North Bridge into an access point that will provide our rail passengers with a more reliable commute, and our entire region with economic opportunity. We are now proudly one step closer to rebuilding our regional infrastructure and assuring that the most important public works project in America continues to move forward.”
“For hundreds of thousands of New Jersey’s daily rail commuters, travel has been dictated by the limitations of aging infrastructure. However, the arrival of one of the Portal North Bridge’s three arches marks a significant step toward upgrading this vital section of the Northeast Corridor. This capital project is further proof of the material improvements we’re able to achieve through coordinated, sustained efforts. Over the last ten years, my colleagues and I have secured nearly $1 billion in federal funding to strengthen this critical railway, the first major project under construction in the Gateway Program, making it safer and more reliable. I look forward to the continued progress of ongoing infrastructure upgrades across New Jersey,” said Senator Cory Booker.
“The Portal North Bridge project is a key component of the broader Gateway Program, and one of many projects that will contribute to the overall improvement, modernization, and reliability of the Northeast Corridor,” said Senator George Helmy. “Having worked closely with Governor Murphy to secure funding for the construction of the new bridge in my time as his Chief of Staff, it is exciting to see progress being made in such quick fashion. I am grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration, NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak, and our partners across the Hudson for making this much-needed upgrade possible.”
“The delivery of this first arch for the Portal North Bridge is a tangible sign of the progress being made to replace the aging infrastructure that has long plagued rail service. Thanks to federal investments and strong partnerships, this project will enhance reliability, reduce delays, and improve the daily experience for thousands of riders. I’ll continue fighting for the resources we need to see this project through and advance other critical infrastructure upgrades across the region,” said Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.
“With the arrival of the first Portal North arch, we are one step closer in our mission to complete the Gateway Project — which will reduce commute times, improve NJ TRANSIT service, and bring good-paying jobs back to New Jersey. Since day one, I’ve fought hard for Gateway and led the charge to bring home billions of dollars in federal funding that will help us build this all-important project to improve the quality of life for New Jerseyans,” said Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
"The arrival of the first arch for the Portal North Bridge is a powerful symbol of the progress we’re making to modernize our infrastructure and improve the daily lives of New Jersey commuters,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “This project is about more than just transportation—it’s about investing in our communities, driving economic growth, and ensuring our state remains connected. I’m proud to support efforts like this that deliver real results and strengthen the Northeast Corridor for the people of New Jersey."
“The delivery of the first arch to the site of the new Portal North Bridge marks a major milestone in one of the largest and most significant infrastructure projects in recent history,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman. “The replacement of the swing bridge will bring welcome ride quality improvements for Northeast Corridor customers and commuters across New Jersey and beyond. Riders deserve smooth and reliable rail service and the construction of this new bridge will help keep that promise. I’m grateful to the Governor and NJ TRANSIT for their partnership and leadership on this important project.”
“Each step forward within the Gateway Program is a step toward the reliable and safe public transportation New Jerseyans deserve. I will continue to support federal investments that make such critical progress possible for our region’s transit,” said Congressman Andy Kim.
“This is the first of many exciting milestones for the Portal North Bridge that will make commuters’ lives easier and provide smoother, more dependable travel,” said Rep. LaMonica McIver. “The Portal North project is a clear example of how when federal, state and industry partners work together, we can move our state forward.”
“The arrival of the first of three massive arches for the new Portal North Bridge brings us one giant step closer to replacing a 114-year-old bridge that’s been causing delays for too long,” said Congressman Jeff Van Drew. “This new bridge will eliminate the need for openings, improve service, and give thousands of commuters a more reliable experience on the busiest rail line in the country. It’s a major win for New Jersey and a long-overdue upgrade to our infrastructure.”
“After helping craft and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and working for years to stop endless bureaucratic delays, there’s nothing better than seeing federal investments delivered to Jersey to get the Portal North Bridge up and running to improve public transportation infrastructure — all without raising taxes on our families,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “These investments will help residents spend more time with their families by commuting on faster, more reliable infrastructure, create new jobs, and ensure Jersey’s economy is stronger and safer.”
“This is a big step forward in the construction of a new Portal North Bridge that will help transform transportation services in the region,” said State Senator and Congresswoman-Elect Nellie Pou. “It will improve services on the busiest passenger rail line in the country and help prevent disruptive delays for commuters. Infrastructure improvements like this are good for the economy and for the quality of life for passengers and motorists.”
“Seeing the first Portal arch arrive at the construction site is a tangible reminder that thousands of commuters’ daily rides are about to get a lot smoother,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Fran O’Connor. “The new Portal North Bridge is just the first of many capital improvements underway to help provide reliable and safe public transportation in New Jersey.”
“The arrival of the first arch at the Portal North Bridge site marks a major milestone in transforming the Northeast Corridor into a more reliable transit route for tens of thousands of daily commuters,” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “Through this project, NJ TRANSIT is proud to demonstrate that, even in the Northeast – where mega-projects have historically faced delays and cost overruns – it is possible to deliver a transformational project on time and within budget.”
“As work continues on Portal North Bridge, having the first of three arches delivered to the project site is the latest of many milestones that we are proud to celebrate,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “This new milestone symbolizes both the great progress taking place on the project and the strong collaboration with our partners at NJ TRANSIT that comes from investments in infrastructure improvements and getting the work done on time, within budget, and safely.”
“The arrival of the first arch for the new Portal North Bridge marks a significant milestone in the progress towards one of the most essential transportation corridors in the Northeast,” said Michael Viggiano, executive vice president of Skanska’s East Coast Civil operations. "It is a step forward in delivering a modernized structure that will greatly impact the hundreds of thousands of daily commuters and New Jersey residents who rely on this passageway, and the Skanska-Traylor JV is proud to be part of it."
“Complex infrastructure projects of this scale are only successful through strong partnerships capable of overcoming significant challenges. The collaboration between the Skanska-Traylor JV, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak demonstrates what’s possible when innovation and teamwork align,” said Chris Traylor, co-president of Traylor Bros., Inc.
"The best way to move massive infrastructure is on the water. Serving as the assembly site — and providing delivery by tug and barge — for the Portal North Bridge has been a tremendous source of pride among our crew at Carver Companies, Carver Marine Towing and Port of Coeymans,” said President of Sales and Business Development, Carver Companies Stephen Kelly. “Since the inception of this project, our teams have worked diligently to ensure that every aspect of this operation is executed with precision and efficiency. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Skanska Traylor JV and delivering exceptional results that will contribute to the growth and enhancement of NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak infrastructure in the Tri-State area."
Three tugboats, a heavy transport barge and a spacer barge towed the 5 million-pound, 400-foot-long, 50-foot-wide arch down the Hudson River beginning at the Port of Coeymans near Albany, NY. Traveling an average of 5 knots (about 5.75 miles per hour) down the Hudson River, it arrived near the bridge site in Kearny 30 hours later.
The Portal North Bridge is a new modern two-track, high-level, fixed-span bridge that will improve service and capacity along this section of the Northeast Corridor. The new Portal North Bridge will rise 50 feet over the Hackensack River, more than doubling the height clearance and will allow marine traffic to pass underneath without interrupting rail traffic.
The Portal North Bridge project will eliminate the 114-year-old swing bridge, which has been the enduring source of major service disruptions for NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak customers traveling on the Northeast Corridor.
The project is being funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, New Jersey, New York, and Amtrak. In January 2021, Governor Murphy announced the signing of a Full Funding Grant Agreement which secured $766.5 million in Federal Transit Administration funding to support the project’s construction.
In October 2021, Governor Murphy and NJ TRANSIT announced the approval of a $1,559,993,000 construction contract awarded to Skanska/Traylor Bros PNB Joint Venture (STJV) for the construction of the new Portal North Bridge. The contract represents the single largest construction award in NJ TRANSIT’s history.
The Portal North Bridge project spans 2.44 miles of the Northeast Corridor line and includes construction of retaining walls, deep foundations, concrete piers, structural steel bridge spans, rail systems, demolition of the existing bridge, and related incidental works.
The Portal North Bridge project is a critical component of the larger Gateway Program, which will eventually double rail capacity between Newark and New York.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 263 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.