GFT Celebrates Portal North Bridge Cutover Milestone on the Northeast Corridor

GFT celebrates the Portal North Bridge cutover milestone on the Northeast Corridor, marking a major step forward in rail reliability and performance. NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak, and project partners completed the first track cutover and welcomed a ceremonial first train crossing in Kearny, New Jersey, signaling the start of passenger service on the new bridge.

Following months of staged construction and carefully coordinated service adjustments that began in mid-February, the first track on the new bridge entered passenger service on March 16. The transition required precise planning to maintain operations across one of the nation’s busiest rail corridors.

The approximately $1.6 billion Portal North Bridge Project replaces the 116-year-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River with a modern, fixed-span structure. 

Key improvements include: 

• 50-foot vertical clearance, eliminating the need for bridge openings.  
• Reduced rail delays caused by mechanical failures and marine traffic.  
• Improved reliability for NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak operations.  
• Increased capacity to support future rail growth along the Northeast Corridor.  

The new bridge removes a long-standing chokepoint and strengthens one of the most critical links in the national passenger rail network. 

A second and final track cutover is scheduled for the fall. Once the second track is cut over, the transition to the new bridge will be complete, advancing a key priority of the Gateway Program and improving service for the hundreds of trains that travel this corridor each day. 

GFT leads the Portal Partners Tri-Venture team, delivering final design for critical rail systems and infrastructure elements.

GFT’s responsibilities include: 

• Track design and trackwork coordination.  
• Rail signaling systems.  
• Electric traction power systems.  
• Coordinated rail operations planning.  
• Geotechnical design and retaining walls.  

GFT is also providing construction-phase services as the project advances toward full revenue service.  

Beyond the bridge itself, GFT has led final engineering for the broader Portal Bridge Capacity Enhancement program. This work includes reconfiguring 2.5 miles of the Northeast Corridor and associated interlockings to improve operational flexibility and performance.  

The Portal North Bridge is a cornerstone investment in the Northeast Corridor, supporting both current operations and future expansion. By replacing aging infrastructure with a modern, resilient structure, the project enhances reliability, reduces delays, and improves the passenger experience across the region.