As per reports, major rail service reductions are scheduled to commence on Sunday (15 February) in connection with the Portal Bridge cutover works along the Northeast Corridor.
• The service changes are expected to begin at approximately 0001 hours local time (0501 hours UTC) on Sunday (15 February) and are expected to remain in place throughout the day.
• The works involve the transition of rail traffic from the existing century-old Portal Bridge to newly constructed infrastructure spanning the Hackensack River in New Jersey.
• The cutover process is anticipated to require significant operational adjustments, including temporary service suspensions, reduced frequencies, and schedule modifications affecting both NJ Transit and Amtrak services.
• On the NJ Transit network, the Northeast Corridor Line, North Jersey Coast Line (New York–bound services), Morris & Essex Lines (Midtown Direct services), and Raritan Valley Line are anticipated to operate under reduced service levels and modified timetables. These lines provide service to and from Penn Station and Newark Penn Station.
• Amtrak Northeast Corridor services operating between Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston are also scheduled to run on adjusted timetables. Some departures may be canceled or combined, and limited seating availability is anticipated due to reduced track capacity during the transition to the new Portal Bridge infrastructure.
• Regular weekday schedules are anticipated to resume from the start of service on Monday (16 February), subject to operational confirmation by the rail operators.
