Portal North Bridge Video: Cutover Project Update

NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak are replacing the 116-year-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a higher bridge, called Portal North Bridge, that will not have to open and close for river traffic. Beginning February 2026, Amtrak began to "cutover" or transfer one track of rail service from the existing bridge to the new Bridge, which will advance long-term reliability and capacity improvements on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) for an improved travel experience.

This is the first major bridge cutover project ever on the Northeast Corridor. Between installing new track, finalizing the new catenary, and testing the signal system, our crews are working around the clock since there is so much that is necessary to connect the new bridge to the existing railroad.

The Portal North Bridge project is one of several major infrastructure projects currently ongoing throughout the NEC, thanks to generational investments from state and federal partners.

This project reflects the true power of partnership with Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT, as well as USDOT, Federal Railroad Administration, and Federal Transit Administration. It's been a team effort all around, and the Bridge depicts what we can accomplish when we work together.