Amtrak, NJ Transit Start Final ‘Cutover’ Work to Transfer Service to New Portal North Bridge

Amtrak has begun early construction activities as part of the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program. The first project kicked-off in March 2023 and includes replacing aging wooden ties with new concrete ties, installing new rail and completing track drainage improvements. These upgrades will enable high‐speed operations on all four tracks along this track segment. (Courtesy of Amtrak)

Beginning Oct. 9, Amtrak and NJ Transit will perform critical work to transfer the final track from the 116-year-old Portal Bridge to the new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River.

Once complete, rail operations will resume in full service over the new bridge, retiring the old bridge. The work is essential to advancing long-term reliability and capacity improvements on the Northeast Corridor.

The transfer, or “cutover,” of Amtrak-owned wires and electrical systems means customers on all rail lines except the Atlantic City Rail Line will experience temporary adjustments to rail service beginning on Sunday, Oct. 11 and continuing for approximately five weeks. NJ Transit said passengers should expect modified train schedules, including some train consolidations or cancellations and others with changed departure times and/or stopping patterns.

At the same time, critical work on three rail lines will occur to take advantage of reduced train traffic and avoid impacting customers again later.

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