Congressman Sires Applauds the Portal North Bridge Project’s Priority Rating Being Raised

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Representative Albio Sires (D-NJ) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation’s move to advance the Portal North Bridge Project:

“The Department of Transportation has announced that the Portal North Bridge, part of the key rail infrastructure system connecting New Jersey to New York, has been approved for eligibility for federal financing and to advance to the Engineering Phase of project development. This means that the project to replace this century-old bridge, which moves about 450 trains every day and sometimes has to be set into place by workmen with sledgehammers, is one step closer to completion. 

“This is long overdue and for years I have used my position on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to advocate for completing the bridge project, releasing federal funds for the project, and ensuring that the Trump Administration is contributing its fair share to match New Jersey’s financial commitment to get this project finished. I am proud to help move this project forward and will not stop working until this bridge is replaced, and the rest of the Gateway Project is finished.”

The Portal North Bridge Project is part of the greater Gateway Project, which also includes a project to upgrade the Hudson Tunnels. These upgrades are critical to the Northeast Corridor’s infrastructure, which supports a multi-billion-dollar regional economy and was seriously damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.