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Hoboken Today
By the People, for the People
New Jersey Bridge Project to Disrupt Rail Service for a Month
Amtrak and NJ Transit to reduce service during Portal Bridge replacement work
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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New Jersey commuters who take trains into Manhattan may face travel disruptions for a month as Amtrak and NJ Transit begin transferring rail service from the aging Portal Bridge to a new, taller replacement bridge. The project will reduce weekday rail service by nearly half, forcing many passengers to use alternate routes through Hoboken.
Why it matters
The Portal Bridge has long been a source of delays and service disruptions due to its aging, movable design. Replacing it with a fixed-span bridge is a key part of the broader Gateway Program to upgrade the busy Northeast Corridor rail line, but the transition will cause significant inconvenience for commuters in the short term.
The details
Beginning on February 15, NJ Transit will cut its weekday service over the Portal Bridge from 332 trains to 178, while Amtrak will also reduce the number of Acela, Northeast Regional and Keystone line trains. Passengers on the Morris & Essex, Gladstone Branch and Montclair-Boonton lines will be diverted to Hoboken, where they can transfer to buses, ferries or the PATH train to reach Manhattan. The agencies warn of crowding and delays during the 4-week transition period.
- The cutover work will take place from February 15 to March 15, 2026.
- NJ Transit will cut its weekday service over the Portal Bridge from 332 trains to 178 during this period.
- Amtrak will also reduce the number of Acela, Northeast Regional and Keystone line trains.
The players
Amtrak
The national railroad company that owns most of the infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor, including the Portal Bridge.
NJ Transit
The public transportation agency that runs more trains over the Portal Bridge than any other carrier.
Kris Kolluri
The president and chief executive of NJ Transit.
Laura Mason
The executive vice president for capital delivery at Amtrak.
What they’re saying
“The idea that we're now at a moment where we can actually open a new track, on a new bridge, is a moment to actually celebrate.”
— Kris Kolluri, President and Chief Executive, NJ Transit (New York Times)
“We know the next four weeks might feel very long for riders as they navigate these service reductions, but we're making a 100-year investment.”
— Laura Mason, Executive Vice President for Capital Delivery, Amtrak (New York Times)
What’s next
The new Portal North Bridge could be fully operational by the end of 2026 after this initial cutover work is completed. A second phase of the project is expected to begin this fall.
The takeaway
The disruptions caused by the Portal Bridge replacement project highlight the urgent need to upgrade the aging infrastructure of the Northeast Corridor, the busiest passenger rail route in the Western Hemisphere. While the short-term inconvenience will be significant, the long-term benefits of a more reliable and resilient rail system will be worth it for New Jersey commuters.
