The Raritan River Bridge, a century-old swing bridge on the North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL), has been in service since 1908. Over the years, it has become increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, as highlighted by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The storm caused significant damage, revealing that the bridge was not designed to withstand the lateral forces of ocean surges. This led to a suspension of both train services and marine vessel operations for three weeks, underscoring the need for a more resilient structure.
To address these issues, NJ Transit has advanced the construction of a new vertical lift rail bridge. This new bridge, which will provide a two-track movable span across the Raritan River, will be positioned slightly off the original alignment between Perth Amboy and South Amboy. The new design includes a liftable center span to accommodate marine traffic and incorporates modern communication systems, signals, overhead catenary, and other associated site work.
The new bridge aims to enhance operational efficiency and preparedness for extreme weather events. NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett has emphasized the critical nature of this project for the resiliency and reliability of the NJCL, which serves thousands of daily commuters.
NJ Transit has awarded a contract worth up to $444 million to Skanska Koch Inc. for the construction of the new bridge. This project is backed by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration exceeding $446 million. The approaches to the new bridge are already being constructed under a separate contract awarded in June 2020, marking significant progress in this essential infrastructure upgrade.
SOURCE: https://www.njtransit.com/press-releases/nj-transit-advances-construction-new-raritan-river-bridge
