The Portal North Bridge project, a crucial part of the Gateway Project aimed at expanding rail service from New Jersey to Manhattan, is now 50% complete. The announcement was made by New Jersey officials in Kearny on Monday. The project, which is currently on schedule and within budget, is expected to be completed by 2026.
The existing Portal Bridge, over a century old, carries more than 29,000 daily commuters between New York and New Jersey. The bridge's age and design have led to speed restrictions for New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains, and occasional malfunctions have caused significant disruptions.
The new Portal North Bridge will replace the current swing span bridge over the Hackensack River with a fixed structure. The construction project spans approximately 2.44 miles, including approach spans on both sides of the river and a center span crossing the Hackensack River.
The project is part of a larger initiative, the $16.1 billion Gateway tunnels project, which includes the construction of a new two-track tube and the renovation of the existing 113-year-old tunnel. The Gateway Development Commission, a special purpose entity representing New Jersey, New York, and Amtrak, is overseeing the project.
Despite the progress, critics have raised concerns about the project's cost and potential impact on traffic. However, proponents argue that the new bridge and tunnel will significantly improve reliability for hundreds of thousands of daily NJ Transit and Amtrak riders traveling between New Jersey and Manhattan.