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Joint venture selected for preconstruction activities
Amtrak reached a milestone in the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project by selecting a joint venture of Skanska, Walsh Group, and Herzog to handle preconstruction activities, the railway said in a statement.
The Sawtooth Bridges, initially built in 1907, are located between Newark Penn Station and Secaucus Junction in Kearny, New Jersey. They include an approximately 1.9-mile-long segment of right-of-way along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC).
The project aims to replace aging infrastructure with modern bridge structures, enhancing capacity, reliability, and speed along a crucial Northeast Corridor. Amtrak’s Executive Vice President for Capital Delivery, Laura Mason, emphasized the complexity of the construction project and the importance of rail for commuter and intercity rail services.
The existing Sawtooth Bridges (outlined in yellow) carry Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT trains on Northeast Corridor (NEC) Tracks 2 and 3 between Newark Penn Station and Secaucus Junction in Kearny, NJ. Image: Amtrak
The new bridges will support more than 400 daily trains operated by Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT while accommodating freight trains from PATH and Conrail.
Sawtooth Bridges, seen in this image of the existing structure, were built in 1907. Amtrak said it exceeded its useful life and requires replacement. Image: Amtrak
Three New Bridges
The project will construct three new bridges over a 1.9-mile corridor between Newark Penn Station and Secaucus Junction:
1. Bridge #1 realigns NJ TRANSIT’s Morris & Essex Track 5.
2. Bridge #2 adds two new NEC tracks next to the existing Sawtooth Bridges.
3. Bridge #3 completely replaces the current Sawtooth structures.
Rendering of three bridges planned for construction in the Sawtooth Bridges project. Image: Amtrak
The area’s congestion and limited access points will require extensive coordination with NJ TRANSIT, PATH, Conrail, and utility providers.
Major construction is expected to begin in 2026, following the final design phase.
The Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project is a component of the Gateway Program, which will improve rail service, enhance resiliency, and double capacity between Newark - Penn Station and New York - Penn Station. Image: Amtrak
In 2023, Amtrak was awarded $10 billion in federal funds for 12 projects to “modernize the Northeast Corridor, improving reliability and service quality.”
In fiscal year 2024, Amtrak said it achieved an all-time ridership record of 32.8 million customers as demand for passenger rail service continued to grow.
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