NJ Transit just released a timelapse from April to December 2023 highlighting construction progress. As of right now, 4 steel segments are complete on the northern side and 2 are complete on the southern side of the bridge.
11 Likes
Incredibly happy to see this progress. This segment is such a bottleneck in the system because the bridge often gets stuck and causes rail delays.
Besides the tubes, it was my other major concern with our aging rail infrastructure. The current structure is 114 years old.
6 Likes
4 Likes
Ground stabilization work will possibly commence this fall to prepare for the eventual tunnel construction.
9 Likes
New Hudson River tunnels inch closer to becoming a reality.
8 Likes
Here’s the latest update on the Portal Bridge construction.
They’re wasting no time with the steel installation. Overall, a major amount of structural steel has been installed since the first steel was laid in January.
North (closest to NYC end):
9 segments of steel were installed.
South (closest to Newark end):
This section has multiple pieces as well, but due to the fact not all the pillars were cast in succession, with some still being cast, there are gaps between the sections of installed steel. Despite this, 10 sections of steel have been installed which is still very significant.
19 Likes
This weather has been good for construction.
3 Likes
Theres also a livecam to view tunnel portal construction at Tonnelle Ave.
8 Likes
Just keep digging. Get this project so far along that it becomes impossible to pull the plug.
7 Likes
Yeah, especially since the project’s already in advanced stages, unless NJ somehow gets a governor who is as defective as Chris Christie who was a major player in delaying critical repairs of this portion of the NEC, cancelling an earlier version of the tunnel project, this project’s already full steam ahead, especially the Portal Bridge replacement.
Here are some updates on the Portal Bridge:
Lots of structural steel was placed since my last update and preparations were being made to pour the concrete decking in some portions of the span. The last columns are the ones that will support the arched spans over the actual river and are also in the process of being cast along with the concrete ends that connect the bridge to the raised track embankments. Overall, the majority of the steel has been installed and this will likely be completed on schedule.
Southbound to Newark:
Northbound to NYC:
22 Likes
Please don’t use that word.
1 Like
It is very likely that the center arched spans are being assembled at the Port of Coeymans near Albany and will be floated to the construction site by barge fully completed. This port was used to stage other major projects as well in the past including the Tappan Zee Bridge so it isn’t out of the possibility that the spans are being pre-assembled there.
I found a picture dating from late March in an article about offshore wind turbines for NY being cancelled and what appears to be one of the arched spans makes an appearance in the aerial image and looks very much like the ones used for the bridge. It is likely that the span pictured is nearly complete by now or already en-route to being installed.
Google maps satellite imagery also confirms the existence of this span although it is depicted in a more incomplete state.
Compare the two images and similarities are quite apparent.
19 Likes
Thank you for all this digging and reporting 
Appreciate it!
4 Likes
this is the beautiful power of the forum. excellent work @ALC11 !
9 Likes
It appears a second Portal Bridge span is under construction and concrete is being poured on the Portal Bridge for decking. Knowing this, what I suspect is once all three are made, they will be all sent down and installed consecutively. I came to this conclusion because of satellite imagery which gives a hint that all the spans will likely be built and then sent to be installed when all 3 are assembled.
Using some Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, I could compare images from March to April and half of a second span has been completed. While the imagery isn’t very clear close-up, I can confirm it is the bridge components by simply referring to the aerial photograph in my prior post which is the same spot as my satellite captures.
Portal Bridge concrete decking installation can also be confirmed by both satellite imagery and the webcam which shows a paving machine on the top of the bridge and a concrete pump actively bringing concrete to the bridge deck.
Satellite imagery shows what appears to be the extent of what has been laid so far. It can be assumed the bright white is fresh dried concrete as it corresponds to what has been poured so far on the live cams.
As for the tunnel portal construction, road traffic has been re-configured and excavation of half of the roadway is underway. The bridge will be built in stages with one side being built first to minimize traffic disruption.
13 Likes
That’s some damn fine detective work ALC
7 Likes
This project continues to show benefits.
Also, starting this summer, ground stabilization work is to commence in the Hudson River to make way for the tunnel boring machines.
One of the other goals for this is to have all the contracts for each portion of this project active as it makes it extremely difficult for it to be stopped especially if we get a president who will try and delay it or cut funding.
14 Likes
Who could that be lol.
1 Like
That’s going to be tough if Jeff Van Drew replaces Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary in the next administration, as is expected.
1 Like
50% Completion of the bridge has been attained. This is a huge milestone and the project is both on-time and on-budget.
Another big development is the status of the arches. The arches are expected to be floated down to the construction site and instslled over the winter. Currebtly, the first and second arches are well underway with fabrication.
9 Likes