NJ Transit, Amtrak Riders Face Commuting Woes During Bridge Project

Rail service disruptions expected for a month as work on new Portal North Bridge progresses

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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NJ Transit and Amtrak are warning passengers to brace for a month of service disruptions and delays as a critical infrastructure project reaches a key phase. The 115-year-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River will be taken out of service to allow for the completion of the new Portal North Bridge, forcing changes to rail schedules and routes.

Why it matters

The Portal Bridge is a notorious bottleneck on the Northeast Corridor, with delays at the junction frequently causing gridlock for train traffic in and out of New York City. Replacing the aging bridge is expected to improve reliability and reduce delays for both NJ Transit and Amtrak riders once the project is finished.

The details

For the next month, NJ Transit riders will lose direct weekday service into Penn Station on several lines, with all Midtown Direct service diverted to Hoboken instead. Amtrak will also see reduced service on its Acela, Northeast Regional and Keystone routes. Transit officials warn of expected delays, particularly in Hoboken, which will see an influx of cross-honored NJ Transit passengers.

  • The bridge work will be performed over the next month.
  • The project is expected to wrap up by March 14, when regular schedules will hopefully resume.

The players

Amtrak

The national passenger railroad service that operates on the Northeast Corridor, including through the Portal Bridge.

NJ Transit

The public transportation system serving New Jersey, with rail lines that cross the Portal Bridge into New York City.

Roger Harris

The president of Amtrak.

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What they’re saying

“In just a few short weeks, we will reward the patience of Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT customers by helping eliminate a cause of long delays and unreliable commutes.”

— Roger Harris, President, Amtrak (Amtrak)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This project represents a critical infrastructure upgrade that will improve reliability and reduce delays for rail commuters in the Northeast Corridor, though passengers will have to endure a month of disruptions to see the long-term benefits.