The third and final span for the Portal North Bridge has arrived, marking a significant step forward in one of the nation’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure projects.
NJ TRANSIT President Kris Kolluri, speaking at a sold-out, standing-room-only event in Edison, hosted by the New Jersey Alliance for Action, confirmed to the crowd that the final span will be set in place soon.
The completion of the new bridge promises to ease delays for commuters traveling along the Northeast Corridor as trains pass over the Hackensack River.
“The Portal North Bridge is a foundational piece of the Northeast Corridor,” Kolluri said, and its arrival marks a significant step toward providing first-rate service to commuters.
The Portal North Bridge project is a crucial component of the larger Gateway Program, which aims to modernize and improve rail service along the nation’s busiest transit corridor. Once complete, the bridge will replace the aging Portal Bridge, a major choke point that has long plagued commuters with frequent malfunctions and delays.
When completed, rail capacity between Newark and New York is expected to be doubled. The existing bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1910. Today’s project is the largest in NJTRANSIT’s history. The agency awarded a $1.56 billion construction contract for the project.
This and the other spans were barged down the Hudson River from a port near Albany, where they were built. Unlike the current bridge, the new Portal Bridge and its spans will remain fixed and not swing open for maritime traffic. The spans rise 50 feet above the river.
Alliance for Action President Jerry Keenan emphasized the significance of this milestone, underscoring its impact on commuters and businesses across the region.
“The completion of this span is a game-changer and what a great event – to have Kris and his team share this news with our members,” Keenan said. “It’s impossible to overstate the complexity or importance of this project.
“The new Portal Bridge represents real progress for commuters, providing them with the reliable service they deserve to ensure New Jersey remains a hub for economic growth.”
Kolluri made his remarks at the Alliance’s office in front of a packed room of business and industry leaders. The event was part of the Alliance’s Inside Scoop series. The event sold out well in advance of Wednesday.
In addition to the bridge update, Kolluri, who took over as the NJTRANSIT head from Kevin Corbett earlier this year, talked about his vision for the job.
“I feel a tremendous obligation to make sure I do everything I can to make sure we set the foundations of this organization going forward the right way,” he said. “What you should expect from me in the next 12 to 13 months is someone who will not shy away from calling out stuff when I see it as wrong, will not shy away from taking blame when it is right, and will not shy away from a fight when I think it is right for the agency.”
