Normal Train Service Expected As Bridge Is Fixed

Train delays should be gone in time for rush hour commuters now that a New Jersey bridge that got stuck in the open position while allowing marine traffic to pass has been fixed.

The Portal Bridge became stuck for nearly three hours Wednesday night, causing train service to be suspended. It was fixed shortly before midnight, but there were residual delays.

The Portal is a swing bridge, with part of it swinging open to let vessels on the Hackensack River go by. It connects Secaucus and Kearny.

Service on the Northeast Corridor and the New Jersey coastline was affected. NJ Transit’s Midtown Direct service between Newark and New York was suspended. Service should be normal now.

NJ Transit says it doesn’t know what the problem was or how it was fixed.

Amtrak owns the bridge. It hasn’t returned a call seeking comment.

The bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and opened in 1910. Replacement of the span is under way.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)