Critical Northeast Corridor investment will benefit more than 200,000 daily rail passengers
NEWARK/HARRISON, N.J. – Amtrak will begin major work in the coming months to rehabilitate the nearly century-old Dock Bridge in New Jersey after awarding key construction and project management contracts.
This project will improve safety and reliability for more than 200,000 daily Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT, and PATH customers traveling on over 700 trains through one of the busiest sections of the Northeast Corridor (NEC).
🎙️ FRA Administrator David Fink:
“Rehabilitating the Dock Bridge is long overdue, and thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Transportation Secretary Duffy, we are finally able to upgrade this aging, critical link on one of the busiest sections of the Northeast Corridor. This project is the latest example of how FRA is working to clear out the backlog of Biden era grants to achieve President Trump’s vision of a new Golden Age for American rail.”
🎙️ Amtrak President Roger Harris:
“Dock Bridge is one of the most heavily used rail bridges in the United States and a critical link connecting New Jersey, New York, and the entire Northeast Corridor. This investment is one important example of several Amtrak and partner projects helping to modernize and strengthen the Northeast Corridor, thanks to strong support from the Federal Railroad Administration.”
🎙️ NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri:
“This is another investment in the improvement of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor to enhance reliability, improve long-term performance, and help ensure the safe and efficient movement of trains through one of the busiest sections of the rail network that sees more than 90,000 New Jersey customers using this critical infrastructure every day. This capital investment continues to advance Governor Sherrill’s long-term vision while building on the short term improvements in the customer experience as part of her rapid action plan. We thank our partners at Amtrak for moving this critical infrastructure project forward.”
🎙️ PATH Director/General Manager Clarelle DeGraffe:
“We are pleased to be collaborating with our Amtrak and NJ Transit partners on such a critical project. This initiative will result in a more modern and efficient ride for years to come for PATH customers depending on the Dock Bridge for reliable service in and out of Newark.”
🌉 About the bridge: Opened in 1935, Dock Bridge is a six-track, triple-span moveable lift bridge crossing the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison, N.J. Four tracks are typically used by Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT trains, while the remaining two are used by PATH.
- Due to its age and deteriorating condition, the bridge has experienced reliability issues, including delays following tracks, signals, and other critical rail systems fail to align properly, as well as frequent service disruptions caused by failures of sensors and other components associated with the movable bridge systems.
- In late 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a permit for Dock Bridge that authorized conversion from a movable bridge to a fixed bridge.
- This project includes critical safety and reliability elements that will strengthen and reinforce the bridge’s steel components, while also replacing major rail infrastructure, including elements of the overhead catenary system, track, and signal systems, to improve service reliability for decades to come.
☑️ Contract details: This project is being delivered through a Design-Bid-Build contract and major work will begin by the end of this year.
- Skanska was awarded the DBB contract and will perform the bridge rehabilitation work.
- LiRo-Hill was awarded the project management contract and will provide project oversight and support throughout construction, embedded within Amtrak’s in-house Capital Delivery Department.
💲 How it’s paid for: The approximately $242 million project is primarily funded by a $188 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. The remaining portion will be funded by NJ TRANSIT, PATH, and Amtrak.
🗺️ The big picture: Amtrak and partners are advancing several major infrastructure projects in the New York/New Jersey area that will significantly improve rail travel throughout the region, including New York Penn Station Transformation, East River Tunnel Rehabilitation, Portal North Bridge (led by NJ TRANSIT), new tracks, signals, overhead power systems, and more.
- These projects are essential to Amtrak’s new era of rail, featuring modern trains, stations, tunnels, bridges and other critical, long overdue infrastructure upgrades.
Additional Reactions:
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill
“The Dock Bridge has carried passengers across the Passaic River for nearly 90 years. Modernizing this critical piece of infrastructure will help keep the Northeast Corridor moving for decades to come. These investments will improve reliability for the hundreds of thousands of commuters who depend on this corridor every day, support good-paying union jobs, and strengthen the busiest passenger rail network in the country.”
Senator Cory Booker (NJ)
“For the hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans who rely on the Northeast Corridor every day, this project is a major win. Rehabilitating this aging bridge will finally eliminate a source of chronic delays, strengthen safety and reliability across the system, and keep our regional economy moving. Most importantly, it will give commuters something priceless—time back in their day.”
Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12)
“Amtrak’s Dock Bridge Rehabilitation Project will critically improve one of the busiest sections of the Northeast Corridor. As demand for public transit grows, the new Dock Bridge will deliver faster, safer, more reliable service for over 200,000 daily transit riders. I am proud to have secured $188 million in federal funding for this project and look forward to this investment improving daily life for riders for years to come.”
Representative Rob Menendez (NJ-08)
“Since taking office, we have advocated for the Dock Bridge Rehabilitation Project and the federal funding to make it a reality. I am glad to see this project moving forward, making the Northeast Corridor safer, more reliable, and more efficient for our residents. We will always do whatever is necessary to deliver the modern transit experience our constituents deserve.”
Representative Frank Pallone (NJ-06)
“For years Amtrak’s aging infrastructure has threatened the reliability of the Northeast Corridor. The Dock Bridge is a critical part of our rail system and at nearly 100 years old these improvements are long overdue to strengthen service for the hundreds of thousands of passengers who rely on it every day. I will continue fighting to make sure New Jersey receives the full federal investment needed to modernize our transportation infrastructure and keep these projects moving forward.”
Representative LaMonica McIver (NJ-10)
“I’m thrilled to see work begin on the Dock Bridge rehabilitation project — we know it will have a real positive impact on our communities. This investment will improve commutes, enhance safety for rail workers, and increase the reliability of the most crucial rail corridor in the region. I strongly support the original $375 million commitment to this project– New Jersey commuters are suffering at the hand of the Trump administration and its unexplained $140 million cut to this project. They deserve the completion of the full, original bridge without delay.”
New Jersey State Senate Majority Leader, M. Teresa Ruiz
“Too many commuters have experienced frustrating delays when the aging Dock Bridge becomes stuck, disrupting travel on the country’s busiest rail line. Improvements to this critical connection between Newark and Manhattan will keep our community moving and help ensure the thousands of riders who cross the Passaic River each day get to their destinations safely and efficiently. This is just one component of the Gateway Program, which is transforming our region’s infrastructure, creating good-paying jobs, and delivering the reliable, resilient, world-class transit system that New Jersey deserves.”
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy
“This investment in the Dock Bridge Rehabilitation Project is another important step toward building a safer, more reliable, and resilient transportation network for Hudson County and New Jersey. Safe, reliable public transportation is critical and drives our economy, connecting residents to jobs, education, healthcare, and opportunities. Hudson County welcomes investments that strengthen access to public transportation and improve service for the millions of people who rely on it each year. I applaud Amtrak for making this critical investment in one of the nation’s most important rail assets and look forward to the lasting benefits it will bring to commuters, businesses, and communities throughout the region.”
City of Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka
“Newark is excited to witness the rehabilitation of this landmark over the Passaic River which will not only upgrade transportation to and from our city, but also improve the reliability of the entire Northeast Corridor railway. It is an important milestone in a project that serves as a gateway not only to places on a map, but into a future with more sustainability, better fuel conservation, and cleaner, more efficient travel.”
Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews
“Today’s announcement is another milestone in the restoration of the Northeast Corridor, which was once one of the premiere passenger rail corridors in the world. If our country continues to provide Amtrak with the resources it needs, we can return the NEC to its role as a global leader. Rail Passengers applauds the work done by Amtrak, the FRA, NJ TRANSIT, and PATH for advancing this project to next phase.”
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