High Bridge station
| Company type | Railroad company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Headquarters | New Jersey , United States |
High Bridge station is located in High Bridge, within Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. It functions as the western endpoint of the Raritan Valley Line operated by NJ Transit. Traveling eastward, the following stop is Annandale. Both inbound and outbound trains utilize only the southern track at this location. The parking area is situated one block to the west. The former station building, constructed in 1913 by the Central Railroad of New Jersey, currently serves as storage space, while passengers wait under its sheltered canopy. It is important to note that weekend train service is not available at this station.
The origins of the railroad and the name High Bridge trace back to 1852, which initially encouraged growth for a nearby iron manufacturing facility; however, a formal station was not established until 1856. Service on the Raritan Valley Line extended westward to Phillipsburg until 1983. Due to low passenger numbers and limited demand, NJ Transit ceased operations beyond High Bridge. Since that time, efforts including petitions and discussions have sought to reinstate daily rail service to Phillipsburg.
History
In 1852, the Central Railroad of New Jersey expanded the former Elizabeth and Somerville Railroad line from Clinton, necessitating a crossing over the Raritan River. To achieve this, a bridge measuring 1,300 feet (400 meters) in length and 120 feet (37 meters) in height was constructed, supported by eight substantial stone piers each approximately 100 feet (30 meters) tall. The construction expenditure amounted to $200,000 (in 1852 dollars), which corresponds to roughly $ today.
Although no station existed at this site initially, the railroad's presence stimulated industrial development. Lewis Taylor’s iron works, which had been inactive since 1783 due to inadequate transportation options, resumed operations in 1851. Following the railroad's arrival, Taylor expanded his furnaces in 1852 and again in 1854, diversifying his products by 1856. The growth of Taylor-Wharton Iron Works coincided with the establishment of a nearby station and a company store.
The original high bridge structure was unstable; it exhibited swaying when trains crossed and caused fluctuations in track elevation. After dismissing plans for an all-stone replacement bridge, the railroad chose to fill in the bridge beginning in 1859. By 1865, using large stone piers combined with earthen fill—at a cost of $500,000 (1865 dollars)—the bridge was effectively replaced. Sidney Dillon introduced one of the earliest steam shovels in the region to accelerate this construction process.
In 2025, the station received a transit village designation aimed at encouraging transit-oriented development within its vicinity.
Station layout
This station consists of a single low-level asphalt side platform with a length sufficient to serve one train car.