Click here for the latest service and schedule information during the Portal Bridge Cutover work.
Click here for a briefing document about the work and service impacts.
Overview
Amtrak will perform a critical series of construction and operational activities to transfer, or “cutover”, rail operations from the existing Portal Bridge to the new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River. This cutover represents a major milestone in the Gateway Program and is essential to advancing long-term reliability and capacity improvements along the Northeast Corridor.
During this work, trains will only be able to operate on a single track between Newark and Secaucus.
While this work will ultimately deliver substantial benefits, the cutover process is complex and operationally intensive, requiring temporary but significant changes to rail service. NJ TRANSIT has worked closely with Amtrak and regional partners to develop a customer-focused service plan that prioritizes capacity, continuity, and safety throughout the transition.
Special Portal Cutover Schedules
Scope of Amtrak Cutover Work
The cutover work involves transferring active rail traffic from one track that crosses the more than 110-year-old Portal Bridge to the newly constructed Portal North Bridge. Key elements of the work include:
- Deactivation of legacy infrastructure associated with the old bridge
- Reconfiguration and activation of new track alignments
- Integration of new signaling, power, and communications systems
- Testing and commissioning of interlockings and safety systems
Due to the interdependent nature of these systems, the work must occur within defined time windows and requires temporary reductions in operational flexibility across the corridor.
Expected Timeline of Amtrak Cutover
Sunday, February 15 New NJ TRANSIT Schedule Goes into Effect
Saturday, March 14 Cutover Work Completed
Sunday, March 15 Regular NJ TRANSIT schedule resumes, subject to completion of safety testing
Expected Customer Impacts
During the cutover period, NJ TRANSIT customers should expect temporary service impacts.
These impacts will primarily affect rail lines that operate through the Portal Bridge corridor, including services into and out of New York Penn Station. While disruptive in the short term, these impacts are necessary to ensure a safe and successful transition to the new bridge infrastructure.
What Customers Should Expect
- Modified train schedules, largely including earlier departures
- Reduced service frequencies on certain segments
- Longer travel times due to operational constraints
- Some train consolidations or cancellations
Customer Communications & Support
NJ TRANSIT is implementing a comprehensive customer support strategy during the work, including:
- Cross-honoring with PATH and New York Waterway Ferry with enhanced AM/PM peak ferry service to/from Midtown
- Advance notice of service impacts across every available customer communication channel
- Real-time service alerts through digital channels
- Station signage and messaging
- FLEXPASS ticket option on sale 2/15 (20-trips w/ 15% discount)
- Additional NJ TRANSIT Staff in Hoboken & Secaucus
Customers are encouraged to check schedules before traveling, allow extra time, and consider alternate travel options or working from home where available.
Support for Midtown Direct Customers
All Midtown Direct service will be diverted to Hoboken.
Midtown Direct customers on Morristown Line, Gladstone Branch and Montclair-Boonton line trains should purchase NJ TRANSIT tickets & passes to/from Hoboken.
These tickets will be accepted for travel on:
- PATH (at Hoboken & 33rd St. Stations only)
- NY Waterway ferry service (between Hoboken and Midtown only)
- NJ TRANSIT’s 126 bus service between Hoboken and the PABT
By purchasing NJ TRANSIT tickets to/from Hoboken and using PATH or NY Waterway ferry service, customers can realize a savings of up to 25% per trip based on their origin station.
NJ TRANSIT Service Plan: Guiding Principles
NJ TRANSIT developed its service plan around three core principles, balancing customer needs with operational realities during the cutover period.
1. Maximizing Capacity and Seat Availability
2. Maintaining Service on All Rail Lines
3. Upholding the Highest Standards of Safety
Conclusion
The Portal Bridge cutover is a necessary and highly complex undertaking. Through close coordination with Amtrak and a service plan grounded in capacity, continuity, and safety, NJ TRANSIT is working to minimize disruption while positioning the system for long-term improvement.
While we recognize the short-term inconvenience customers will experience is not insignificant, the successful completion of this work will deliver lasting benefits for decades to come.
Click here for the latest service and schedule information during the Portal Bridge Cutover work.
