Amtrak has awarded the main construction and project management contracts for the rehabilitation of Dock Bridge in New Jersey, with major work expected to begin later this year.
The 242 million USD project will upgrade the six-track bridge, which carries more than 700 Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT and PATH trains each day across the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison. More than 200,000 daily passengers use the bridge, making it one of the busiest sections of the Northeast Corridor (NEC).
Construction contractor Skanska has been awarded the design-bid-build contract to carry out the rehabilitation works, while LiRo-Hill will provide project management and construction oversight in partnership with Amtrak’s Capital Delivery Department.
Opened in 1935, Dock Bridge is a triple-span lift bridge that carries four tracks used by Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT services, alongside two tracks used by PATH.
The bridge’s age has led to increasing reliability issues, including delays caused by misaligned tracks, signalling equipment and movable bridge systems. Failures affecting sensors and other bridge components have also resulted in service disruptions.
Following the issue of a US Coast Guard permit in late 2024, the bridge is being converted from a movable structure to a fixed bridge as part of the rehabilitation programme.
The project includes structural repairs to reinforce the bridge’s steelwork alongside the replacement of sections of track, signalling equipment and the overhead catenary system. Amtrak said these works are intended to improve safety and operational reliability for the long term.
The project is primarily funded through a 188 million USD grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), with the remaining funding provided by Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT and PATH.
Amtrak President Roger Harris said: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 modernise and strengthen the Northeast Corridor, thanks to strong support from the Federal Railroad Administration.
The Dock Bridge rehabilitation forms part of a wider programme of rail infrastructure upgrades in the New York and New Jersey region. Other ongoing projects include the New York Penn Station Transformation, East River Tunnel Rehabilitation and the Portal North Bridge replacement, alongside upgrades to tracks, signalling and power systems across the corridor.
