NJ Transit Portal Bridge work and New Brunswick station renovations to reduce service in Middlesex County in February

Speaker 1 announced that New Jersey Transit is moving into a final phase of Portal Bridge replacement that will begin in mid‑February and is expected to run roughly four weeks into mid‑March. “They are going to be switching one of the tracks over to the new bridge,” Speaker 1 said, adding the work will require track switching, removal of six poles, signal and wiring changes, and extensive testing.

The speaker said the county and NJ Transit will run two shifts daily, seven days a week during the work and that some trains will be lengthened so they can carry more cars and more passengers. “This is going to be a reduction in trains, but they are going to make some of the trains longer…so that they can fit more people onto the trains,” Speaker 1 said. Safety inspections will occur after construction to certify operations.

Separately, Speaker 1 said the renovation of the New Brunswick train station is progressing: the initial phase has been awarded and will include railings and lighting upgrades, followed by renovation of the existing station and construction of a new head house at Easton Ave and French Street, with an expected completion timeline put at 2026.

Why it matters: the work affects three rail lines that run through Middlesex County and will alter commutes for residents who rely on NJ Transit. County officials directed riders to NJ Transit’s public schedule updates and said the agency will provide arrangements such as ticket cross‑honoring and schedule changes during the construction window.

What’s next: Speaker 1 directed riders to check NJ Transit’s website for schedules and said the agency’s public updates should explain cross‑honoring and other mitigation measures. The meeting record shows the announcement and timeline but does not include further action or a formal county vote on mitigation steps.