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U.S.Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm
News |
FRA and New Jersey Transit Begin Study to Improve Capacity and Operation
of Portal Bridge on Northeast Corridor
Contact: Steve Kulm
Telephone: 202-493-6024
Thursday, December 14, 2006 (Washington, DC) Public comments are being sought for a project to replace, repair, or retain a nearly one hundred year old railroad bridge on the heavily congested Northeast Corridor connecting the Newark, New Jersey and New York City metropolitan areas, announced Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and New Jersey Transit (NJT) will jointly prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS), in cooperation with Amtrak, to study improvements to enhance capacity and operation of the Amtrak-owned Portal Bridge that spans the Hackensack River. Originally constructed in 1910, the bridge is nearing the end of its projected lifespan.
“Because of the bridge’s critical role in the successful operation of the Northeast Corridor, it’s essential that we consider all of the possible options and determine the best way to ensure safe and efficient transportation,” Boardman said, noting that the two-track bridge currently handles 393 NJT and 51 Amtrak trains each weekday.
Among the Portal Bridge options under consideration: retaining the existing structure and building a new bridge with two or three additional tracks; modifying the existing bridge to improve its safety and possibly adding a second bridge as well; and removing the Portal Bridge altogether and replacing it.
The FRA, NJT and Amtrak will evaluate the potential effects of each alternative on the surrounding social, economic and physical environment, with a focus on ecology, historic value, aesthetics, as well as transportation and air quality, Boardman explained.
Public comment on the scope of the EIS, including the range of alternatives considered and environmental issues or concerns will be accepted through January 31, 2007.
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