NJ TRANSIT Restores Service With New Portal Bridge

NJ TRANSIT returns to regular schedules March 15 as new Portal North Bridge replaces 116-year-old span

NJ TRANSIT Resumes Regular Service March 15

NJ TRANSIT riders will see regular train schedules return Sunday as the agency completes Portal Cutover work this weekend. One track of the new Portal North Bridge officially goes into service March 15, replacing the 116-year-old swing bridge that's long caused delays. The transition marks a significant infrastructure milestone for the transit system serving the New York-New Jersey region.

Background on Portal Bridge Replacement

The Portal Bridge replacement project addresses one of the Northeast Corridor's most notorious bottlenecks. The century-old swing bridge has been a persistent source of delays for commuters traveling between New Jersey and New York Penn Station. Transit officials said the new fixed-span bridge will improve reliability and reduce mechanical failures that have plagued the aging movable structure. The cutover represents years of planning and construction to modernize critical rail infrastructure in the region.

Cross-Honoring Ends Friday, March 13

Friday, March 13 will be the final day for cross-honoring on PATH and NY Waterway services to and from Hoboken. Montclair Boonton, Gladstone Branch, and Morristown Line customers can currently use PATH at 33rd Street and NY Waterway at Midtown/W39th Street with their NJ TRANSIT tickets. Beginning Saturday, March 14, Morris & Essex Line and Montclair-Boonton Line customers with monthly passes to Hoboken will have their passes honored for travel to Penn Station New York. Special Portal Cutover schedules remain in effect through March 14 for multiple rail lines.

Implementation Timeline for Service Restoration

Regular weekend and weekday rail schedules will resume across the system beginning Sunday, March 15, 2025. The Portal Cutover work will be completed this weekend, allowing operations to return to normal service patterns. Transit officials said passengers should review updated schedules before traveling, as some schedules may have changed during the transition period. The agency encouraged customers to allow extra time as operations normalize following the infrastructure project.

What Riders Need to Know

Passengers should check schedules before traveling Sunday, as the transition to the new bridge may affect some departure times. NJ TRANSIT thanked customers for their patience and flexibility throughout the critical infrastructure project. The new Portal North Bridge is expected to improve service reliability for thousands of daily commuters on the Northeast Corridor. Moovit provides real-time schedule updates and trip planning for NJ TRANSIT routes throughout the New York-New Jersey region.