Portal Bridge problem part of ongoing railroad crisis

NJ Transit train service in and out of Penn Station New York resumed with delays after being suspended nearly an hour because the aging Portal Bridge near Secaucus, New Jersey, was stuck in the open position.

Northeast Corridor, NJ Coast Line, and Raritan Valley trains were subject to up 60-minute delays following the incident.

Midtown Direct trains were diverted to Hoboken during the problem and NJ Transit buses cross-honored rail tickets and passes. PATH was also accepting NJ Transit rail tickets at the 33rd St. Station in Manhattan.

The issue also affected Amtrak Northeast Corridor train service.

The Portal Bridge, which spans the Hackensack River, opened in 1910 and is considered woefully obsolete. Amtrak has long intended to replace it, but lack of funding has stalled work.