Beginning February 13, 2026, Amtrak will perform critical work to “cutover,” or transfer one track of rail service from the 115-year-old Portal Bridge in Kearny, NJ to the new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River. A major milestone in the Gateway Program, the work is essential to advancing long-term reliability and capacity improvements on the Northeast Corridor. During this time, and in order to conduct the work, there will be a multi-week reduction in Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT service in New Jersey and the Northeast Corridor. While there will be fewer trains in service during this period, there will still be trains operating throughout the day with our typical trip times.

Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT worked closely with regional partners to develop a customer-focused service plan prioritizing capacity, continuity and safety. Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT leveraged three core principles in developing its service plan, minimizing impacts to customers to the greatest extent possible, while contending with the operational realities during the cutover period.

• Maximizing Capacity and Seat Availability
• Maintaining Service on All Rail Lines
• Upholding the Highest Standards of Safety

While disruptive in the short term, these temporary service adjustments are necessary to ensure a safe and successful transition to the new bridge infrastructure. This work is an important milestone in bringing the new Portal North Bridge into service beginning in 2026.

The new updated modern, high-level fixed span bridge that will make future Amtrak and commuter trips more reliable, safer and smoother with increased service and train speeds. Thanks to a strong partnership between Amtrak and NJT, the project remains on schedule and on budget. You can learn more about the project at: Amtraknewera.com/gateway/pnb/ for more information.

-via Press Release