Day 2 of Portal Bridge cutover brings quiet morning but major disruptions ahead
The biggest test arrives Tuesday, when full weekday commuter volume returns after the holiday.
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Construction tied to the Portal Bridge project is disrupting the morning routine for many riders as Amtrak transfers rail service from the old bridge to the new one. For the next month, commuters can expect schedule changes, fewer options, longer travel times and larger crowds.
One of the biggest changes is that many riders who normally travel directly into the city will have to stop in Hoboken and use the PATH.
NJ Transit says the disruption may be inconvenient now, but the project will improve service for decades to come. Officials say the larger test comes Tuesday when commuters return after the holiday.
Over the weekend, NJ Transit began shifting trains off the century‑old Portal Bridge and onto the new Portal North Bridge.
“I think it’s always for the better, but of course we have to sacrifice a little bit. It’s only for a month. I hope it doesn’t go further than that,” said Maria Henze of Mendham.
During the cutover, trains are running on a single track between Newark and Secaucus. That means fewer trains will enter New York Penn Station on weekdays along the Northeast Corridor and New Jersey Coast Line.
Midtown Direct riders on the Morristown line, Gladstone Branch and Montclair‑Boonton lines are expected to feel the impact most. Many trains will now be rerouted to Hoboken instead of traveling directly into New York.
“All the passengers traveling have to come over here using the PATH train so it’s going to be very congested… it’s going to be very difficult,” said Hedsheh of Jersey City.
Another rider said she plans to leave home early. “As long as I get on the train, I don’t care if I get a seat or not,” Henze said. “Sometimes service is not that good as well so it will be chaotic especially during rush hour.”
The Atlantic City line is the only line not expected to see disruptions.
Transit officials are urging riders who can work from home to do so and, if not, to monitor alerts and allow extra travel time.
The cutover work is scheduled to continue through March 14. NJ Transit will begin cross‑honoring fares starting Tuesday as more trains are diverted to Hoboken. New York Waterway will also cross‑honor tickets, and additional buses and ferries will run to help commuters move in and out of the city.
