The 1910 Portal Bridge Is Handed Over for Demolition

Published: October 30, 2026

NEWARK, N.J. — Amtrak said on October 29 that the Portal Bridge of 1910 has been handed over for demolition. The fall cutover, the final move of trains onto the new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River, was in its third week. Crews have taken out old track and overhead wire, laid new track on the west side of the new bridge, and set three new bridge sections between Portal North and Secaucus.

Amtrak's Portal Bridge project is seen here nearing completion. Amtrak photo.

NJ Transit and Amtrak have been on adjusted schedules since Sunday, October 11. Both say regular schedules are expected back on Sunday, November 15, if safety testing is finished. Every NJ Transit rail line except the Atlantic City Rail Line is in the plan. On weekdays, Midtown Direct trains on the Morris & Essex, the Gladstone Branch, and the Montclair-Boonton Line are diverted to Hoboken. The line-by-line card is at njtransit.com/portalcutover.

The last track off the swing bridge

This cutover moves the last track off the 1910 swing bridge and onto the new fixed bridge. Amtrak’s September 17 announcement said the work began the evening of October 9 and that the reduced service would run about five weeks. When that track is in service, trains use Portal North and the 1910 span is retired. The bridge is on the Northeast Corridor between Newark and New York. Amtrak and NJ Transit share it.

Amtrak’s September 17 briefing counted about 4,500 feet of new track, about the same length of new catenary wire, one new turnout, and five new signals in this window. For the duration, weekday Amtrak service steps down: Acela from 20 trains to 18, Northeast Regional from 44 to 40, and Keystone service between Philadelphia and New York from 24 trains to 10. Keystone service between Harrisburg and Philadelphia stays on its regular level. Long-distance service levels stay as they were.

Sources

Amtrak Media, October 29, 2026, “Portal North Bridge – 2nd Cutover in Action!” Fall cutover in its third week. Old track and overhead power removed. New track on the west side. Three new bridge sections between Portal North and Secaucus. The 116-year-old Portal Bridge handed over for demolition.
Amtrak Media, September 17, 2026. Final cutover begins the evening of October 9. Schedule changes from Sunday, October 11, for about five weeks. Regular schedules expected Sunday, November 15, subject to safety testing.
Amtrak, Portal North Bridge cutover briefing, September 17, 2026. About 4,500 feet of track, about 4,500 feet of catenary, one turnout, five signals. Weekday Acela 20 to 18, Northeast Regional 44 to 40, Keystone 24 to 10 between Philadelphia and New York, full Keystone service west of Philadelphia, long-distance levels unchanged.
NJ Transit service advisory, schedule changes October 11 through November 14, 2026, regular schedules expected November 15 subject to testing. All rail lines except the Atlantic City Rail Line. Weekday Midtown Direct trains on the Morris & Essex, Gladstone Branch, and Montclair-Boonton Line diverted to Hoboken. Rider page: njtransit.com/portalcutover.

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The 1910 Portal Bridge Is Handed Over for Demolition

The last track off the swing bridge

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Sources