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NJ Transit Faces Month of Delays for Bridge Work
17 Feb
Summary
- NJ Transit commuters face a month of potential delays and cancellations.
- Work on the new Portal North Bridge began Sunday and continues through March 13.
- Some rail lines, including Midtown Direct, will be diverted to Hoboken.
NJ Transit commuters are bracing for a month of potential delays and cancellations as critical work commences on the new Portal North Bridge. This phase of construction, which began on Sunday and is slated to continue through March 13, impacts nearly all rail lines except the Atlantic City Rail Line.
Initial disruptions included train cancellations due to engineer staffing issues, though officials have since apologized and attributed these to a temporary transition. The primary challenge for riders begins Tuesday with the implementation of a weekday schedule that diverts some Midtown Direct trains to Hoboken. Hoboken's PATH station is anticipated to be the busiest hub for Manhattan-bound commuters during peak hours.
The project involves transferring rail service from the century-old Portal Bridge to the modern Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River. This new, higher bridge will not require opening, promising enhanced reliability and fewer delays along the Northeast Corridor. Service adjustments include modified schedules, potential consolidations, and reduced train frequency, with trains having added capacity but making more stops.
