In coordination with NJ TRANSIT, Amtrak has begun the procurement process for the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project.
The Sawtooth Bridges carry more than 400 Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT trains per day over tracks used by NJ TRANSIT, PATH and Conrail freight trains. As these services all come together at this location, it is currently one of the most congested areas of the Northeast Corridor (NEC).
In addition, the structure’s age and current condition restrict these trains to speeds of 60 miles per hour.
However, once the replacement project is complete, the speed restriction will be increased and the new four-track structure will double its track capacity.
This work is part of Amtrak’s Gateway Program to preserve and expand the busiest section of the Northeast Corridor (NEC).
“Building the new Sawtooth Bridges requires significant coordination with our partners at NJ TRANSIT, PATH and Conrail and we are grateful for their shared commitment to modernise and bring this critical stretch of the NEC to a state of good repair. We appreciate the Biden Administration, Governor Murphy and Congress for providing and helping to unlock the IIJA funding that makes this work possible.”
The Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project was recently awarded up to 133.32 million USD in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding to support early construction activities.
Its procurement process has now officially begun with the publication of Advance Notices on Amtrak’s Procurement Portal. Amtrak anticipates that two Requests for Qualifications will be issued in the near future, followed by a formal Request for Proposals.
This is one of several major infrastructure projects currently being planned and delivered by Amtrak’s Capital Delivery organisation. It also has active procurements underway for the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project, the Connecticut River Bridge Project, and major fleet facility upgrades.
In addition, Amtrak recently awarded its first CMAR contract to advance construction for the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program in Maryland.
