KEARNY, NJ (PIX11) — Commuters can watch crews build a new bridge in Kearny, New Jersey. It will replace the current structure, which is 114 years old.

Amtrak and NJ Transit gave PIX11 News a look at the construction site for the new North Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River.

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The first of three arches arrived this week and is approximately 75% built. The major bridge structures are prefabricated in state and shipped across the Hudson River by barge.

Managers say it’s happening on time and on budget. Passenger service is scheduled to begin in early 2026.

Amtrak Vice President of Infrastructure Product Delivery Jaidev Sankar is keeping a close eye on the project. “Every time I cycle by, I am amazed at the steady progress in this work,” he said.

NJ Transit is leading this construction. The two agencies share infrastructure and have been working to repair and upgrade facilities around their systems. This route will have new above-ground power supplies. Old wires fail and cause delays.

Kevin Corbett, president and CEO of NJ Transit, says new overhead power supplies provide better wiring that is less affected by weather conditions, which can cause delays.

Agency heads are looking ahead to service improvements and more projects. They call the bridge a way to measure evidence of performance. “This is proof of cooperation. We work with NJTransit, contractors and union workers. It shows what we can do when we work together and have a common goal,” Sankar said.

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More and more projects are taking place throughout the region. More funding is in the Amtrak budget, which operates Penn Station and many of its assets. “It is a boost for the people of the North East to see that we can deliver major projects on time and on budget. It creates momentum,” Corbett said.

NJTransit says the portal bridge project was initially funded during President Trump’s first administration. Transit leaders on the ground believe the infrastructure money will continue to flow because it has bipartisan support.

Passengers should cross the new bridge between Newark and Secaucus in early 2026. Until then, they will continue to watch the new railway line being built.

When the new bridge opens, the other one will be demolished. There are plans for a second one, but that project will not receive funding.

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