Skanska to replace Raritan River Bridge in US$421m contract

Design image of the new Raritan River Bridge, which is due to be completed in 2029. (PHOTO: NJ TRANSIT)

In operation since 1908, the Raritan River Bridge carries NJ TRANSIT’s North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) trains– with around 11,400 passengers a day- over the Raritan River between Perth Amboy and South Amboy.

Skanska’s contract, valued at US$421 million, involves the demolition of the existing swing bridge superstructure and the building a new vertical lift bridge that will have a new two-track movable span to allow marine traffic to pass under it.

According to contractor, the works will comprise the construction of a new “lift span, two flanking spans, and communication and signal systems.” Additional works will include overhead catenary installation, landside earthwork, and rail system upgrades.

Skanska stated that the “work is slated to commence in April 2025 with expected completion in the third quarter of 2029”.

The existing Raritan River Bridge is the “sole rail link” for 17 of the 20 NCJL stations that connect Newark and Manhattan, but the need to replace it became clear after 2012’s Hurricane Sandy inflicted significant damage on the structure.

In a statement published in December last year, NJ TRANSIT said: “The current bridge has been in service since 1908 and was not designed to withstand the lateral forces due to ocean surges.”

It continued: “…the bridge suffered significant damage during Superstorm Sandy, including movement of the bridge deck out of its normal alignment due to ocean surges against the bridge superstructure and the impact of large, wave-borne debris bearing against the bridge girders.”

Following Hurricane Sandy, the bridge was made safe with repairs made to its supporting piers to “allow its continued use while a new bridge was designed and built”.

NJ TRANSIT said: “Superstorm Sandy demonstrated the vulnerability of the bridge to extreme weather events.”