New Jersey train service changes begin Sunday as Portal Bridge enters phase

New Jersey commuters are preparing for major train service changes beginning Sunday, October 11, as construction on the new Portal North Bridge enters its final phase.

The changes are expected to continue for roughly five weeks while crews work to place the second track into service. NJ Transit says the temporary changes will affect multiple rail lines between October 11 and November 14.

The Raritan Valley Line will terminate at Newark during the construction period. Passengers who normally travel directly into New York will need to make additional arrangements for the rest of their trip.

The Morristown Line, Gladstone Branch and Montclair-Boonton Line will also lose their usual Midtown Direct service into Manhattan. Trains on those routes will instead terminate at Hoboken Terminal, where passengers can continue toward New York using PATH trains, buses or ferries.

For many commuters, the changes could add significant time to daily journeys. Transportation planners and commuter advocates are advising riders to check their schedules before leaving home and allow extra time, particularly during morning and evening rush hours.

The project is connected to the replacement of the aging Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River. The existing swing bridge has long been considered a major reliability problem because it must open for marine traffic and then return to position before trains can pass.

The new bridge is designed to provide more reliable rail service and reduce delays along one of the busiest rail corridors connecting New Jersey and New York.

NJ Transit officials say the temporary inconvenience is necessary to complete the final construction work. Once the project is finished, the new bridge is expected to improve reliability for commuters traveling between New Jersey and New York.

For passengers, the most important step is to check NJ Transit service information before traveling beginning Sunday. Some journeys that normally require one train may temporarily require a transfer at Newark or Hoboken.

The construction period is scheduled to end in mid-November, ahead of the Thanksgiving travel period.