The new Portal North Bridge project marked a major milestone Nov. 26.

As NJBIZ has reported, the project to replace the current 114-year-old swing bridge is progressing rapidly – about 75% complete. And on Tuesday, Amtrak and NJ Transit officials welcomed the first of three arches to support the new Portal North Bridge.

The project is part of the broader Gateway Program. The effort aims to increase rail capacity and reliability.

The current swing bridge needs to open and close for maritime traffic. However, it often has mechanical issues that results in service delays. The new bridge will rise 50 feet over the Hackensack River. The structure is a fixed span that eliminates that need to open and close. The new design will allow marine traffic to pass underneath without interrupting rail traffic.

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 and CEO Kevin 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.”

Funding for the project comes through a combination of federal and state dollars. In October 2021, Skanska/Traylor Bros PNB Joint Venture (STJV) won the $1.56 billion construction contract for the project. The agreement marks the largest single construction award in NJ Transit’s history

The new Portal North Bridge is scheduled to start service by the end of the 2026. The full project, including demolition of the current bridge, is slated for completion in 2027.