Portal Bridge Overhaul Begins, Causing Delays for NJ Transit and Amtrak Riders

Month-long construction project to transform century-old bridge will snarl commutes until mid-March.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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NJ Transit and Amtrak are warning riders of potential delays for weeks as a month-long construction project to transform the century-old Portal Bridge into the Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River gets underway as part of the Gateway Program. The project will replace the aging bridge, which has malfunctioned multiple times in the past, causing major delays for commuters.

Why it matters

The Portal Bridge has long been a source of frustration for NJ Transit and Amtrak riders due to its frequent malfunctions, so this project to replace it with a higher bridge that won't need to open for river traffic is an important infrastructure upgrade. However, the construction work will significantly impact rail schedules and commutes in the short-term.

The details

The "cutover" work includes deactivating the infrastructure associated with the old bridge, reconfiguring and activating new track alignments, adding new signaling, power and communication systems, as well as testing the interlocking and safety systems. During construction, which kicked off this Sunday and is expected to last until March 14, NJ Transit and Amtrak schedules will be impacted since there will only be one track between Newark and Secaucus, meaning there will be fewer trains going into New York Penn Station on weekdays on various train lines, earlier departure times, and longer travel times.

  • The construction project kicked off this Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • The project is expected to last until March 14, 2026.

The players

NJ Transit

The public transportation system serving the state of New Jersey.

Amtrak

The national passenger railroad service of the United States.

Portal Bridge

A century-old bridge over the Hackensack River that is being replaced as part of the Gateway Program.

Portal North Bridge

The new higher bridge that will replace the aging Portal Bridge and not need to open for river traffic.

Gateway Program

A major infrastructure project to improve rail transportation between New Jersey and New York City.

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What’s next

NJ Transit and Amtrak recommend people limit travel between the rush hour timeframe of 7 to 9 a.m. and between 4 and 7 p.m. weekdays, and are encouraging riders to work from home if possible during the construction period.

The takeaway

The Portal Bridge replacement project is a critical infrastructure upgrade, but the month-long construction work will cause significant disruptions and delays for NJ Transit and Amtrak riders in the short-term. Commuters will need to adjust their travel plans and schedules accordingly during this time.