First Train Crosses New Portal North Bridge in Kearny

The $1.56B infrastructure project aims to improve reliability on the Northeast Corridor.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:48am

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Officials marked a major milestone in the replacement of the aging Portal Bridge on Thursday, as the first ceremonial train crossed the new Portal North Bridge in Kearny, New Jersey. The new two-track, high-level bridge will officially enter passenger service on March 16, shifting rail traffic from the 116-year-old Portal Bridge that has long caused delays along the Northeast Corridor.

Why it matters

The Portal North Bridge is a key component of the broader Gateway Program to expand rail capacity between Newark and New York. Replacing the aging Portal Bridge with a modern structure is expected to significantly improve reliability for the hundreds of trains that cross the Hackensack River every day, benefiting the hundreds of thousands of commuters and travelers who rely on the Northeast Corridor.

The details

The $1.56 billion Portal North Bridge project is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, along with New Jersey, New York and Amtrak. One track on the new bridge will officially enter passenger service on March 16, with a second track expected to come online this fall. The new fixed-span bridge, which rises 50 feet above the Hackensack River, will eliminate the aging swing bridge design and improve reliability for rail service.

  • The first ceremonial train crossed the new Portal North Bridge on March 12, 2026.
  • One track on the new bridge will officially enter passenger service on March 16, 2026.
  • A second track on the new bridge is expected to come online this fall.

The players

Mikie Sherrill

Governor of New Jersey.

Kris Kolluri

President and CEO of NJ Transit.

Priya Jain

New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chair.

Roger Harris

President of Amtrak.

Skanska and Traylor Bros.

Construction companies awarded the $1.56 billion contract for the Portal North Bridge project.

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What they’re saying

“Today marks a historic step forward for New Jersey's transportation future.”

— Mikie Sherrill, Governor of New Jersey

“The first train over the new Portal North Bridge marks a major milestone toward completing one of the most consequential infrastructure projects in the nation and delivering the reliability our customers expect and deserve.”

— Kris Kolluri, President and CEO of NJ Transit

“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.”

— Priya Jain, New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chair

“The Portal North Bridge represents the first major bridge project cutover completed on the Northeast Corridor, and we're proud to celebrate this tremendous milestone with our partners at NJ TRANSIT, Governor Sherrill, and the US DOT.”

— Roger Harris, President of Amtrak

What’s next

The old Portal Bridge is scheduled for dismantling in 2027.

The takeaway

The completion of the Portal North Bridge is a significant milestone in improving the reliability and capacity of the Northeast Corridor, one of the busiest rail networks in the country. This project is a testament to the collaboration between federal, state, and regional partners to deliver critical 21st-century infrastructure for commuters, residents, and businesses.