Amtrak will begin work in the coming months on the rehabilitation of the Dock Bridge in New Jersey, one of the most important railway bridges in the United States, following the award of the main contracts for construction and project management.
The construction contract has been awarded to Skanska, whilst LiRo-Hill will provide project management and supervision, in collaboration with Amtrak’s investment department. The main works are scheduled to begin by the end of this year.
The investment, estimated at USD 242 million, aims to modernise infrastructure that is nearly a century old and will benefit over 200,000 passengers who travel daily on Amtrak, NJ Transit (New Jersey’s transport operator) and PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) trains.
Of the total amount, USD 188 million is a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), with the remaining sum up to USD 242 million being covered by the three operators.
The works will improve the safety and reliability of rail services
The bridge is situated between Newark and Harrison in the state of New Jersey and forms part of one of the busiest sections of the North East Corridor (NEC). Every day, over 700 trains pass through this infrastructure, which is essential to the region’s rail transport.
The project involves strengthening the bridge’s steel structure, replacing the track, and modernising the overhead line power supply system and signalling installations. The aim is to improve the safety and reliability of rail services for decades to come.
Opened in 1935, Dock Bridge is a six-track, three-span bascule bridge spanning the Passaic River. Four of the tracks are used by Amtrak and NJ Transit trains, whilst the other two are dedicated to PATH services.
Due to its age and wear and tear, the bridge has faced reliability issues in recent years, including delays caused by faults in the tracks, signalling equipment and the bridge-lifting systems. At the end of 2024, the United States Coast Guard approved the conversion of the bridge from a movable to a fixed structure.
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