HX Draw
| Company type | Bridge |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation infrastructure |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Founder | Joseph Strauss |
| Headquarters | Secaucus, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Hackensack River crossing between Secaucus and East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| Products | Rail bridge (single-leaf bascule) |
| Owner | NJ Transit Rail Operations |
The HX Draw is a bascule bridge that carries the New Jersey Transit Bergen County Line and Pascack Valley Line across the Hackensack River, connecting Secaucus with East Rutherford. Often referred to as the "Jack-Knife Bridge," it utilizes a single-leaf bascule system that lifts vertically in a manner reminiscent of a folding knife blade.
History
Engineered by Joseph Strauss, who also served as chief engineer for the Golden Gate Bridge, the HX Draw was completed in 1911. It stands as one of the earliest examples of a heel trunnion bascule bridge constructed in the United States and was initially part of the Erie Railroad main line.
This structure features a Warren through truss configuration with a steel bascule leaf designed to open for boat traffic on the federally navigable Hackensack River. Following transitions from Erie Lackawanna to Conrail, and subsequently to NJ Transit Rail Operations, NJ Transit currently manages the bridge.
In 2008, NJ Transit undertook repainting and minor structural improvements aimed at extending the bridge’s lifespan and enhancing its resistance to corrosion.
Design and Operation
The HX Draw is characterized by its single-leaf bascule design incorporating a heel trunnion mechanism, where the movable span pivots vertically around an axle located near its heel. This early 20th-century innovation is particularly well-suited for rail crossings constrained by limited spatial allowances. The bridge exclusively accommodates rail traffic and does not permit vehicular passage.
As one of the few remaining movable bridges in New Jersey dedicated solely to commuter rail, it operates under U.S. Coast Guard regulations requiring it to open upon request to allow vessel passage.
See also
- Hackensack RiverWalk
- Timeline of Jersey City area railroads
- Movable bridges in New Jersey
- List of bridges, tunnels, and cuts in Hudson County, New Jersey