Coast Guard Constrains Snake Hill Bridge Swings for Safety
Published Date: 3/26/2025
Rule
Summary
The Coast Guard is changing how the Amtrak Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River opens to keep things safe while a new bridge is being built right next to it. This means the bridge won’t open as wide as before to avoid hitting the new construction. Boat operators and train riders near Little Snake Hill, NJ, should expect these changes during the building project, but no extra costs are involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Bridge Opening Limited During Construction
The Coast Guard changed the operating schedule for the Amtrak Portal Bridge at mile 5.0 on the Hackensack River (Little Snake Hill, New Jersey) so the bridge’s horizontal opening is limited while Amtrak builds the new Portal Bridge North next to it. Boat operators in the area should expect these operating changes; the rule states no extra costs are involved.
Safety Measure for Nearby Train Riders
The rule limits the Amtrak Portal Bridge’s horizontal opening to prevent the swing span from striking the new Portal Bridge North during construction, a change made to keep operations safe while the replacement bridge is built at Little Snake Hill, New Jersey. Train riders and nearby travelers should expect this safety-focused operating change, and the Coast Guard indicates it will not add extra costs.
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