Raritan Bay Drawbridge
| Company type | Infrastructure |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1908 |
| Headquarters | Middlesex County , United States |
Area served | Perth Amboy and South Amboy, New Jersey |
| Products | Railroad swing bridge |
| Owner | New Jersey Transit |
The Raritan Bay Drawbridge, also referred to as the River-Draw, Raritan Bay Swing Bridge, or Raritan River Railroad Bridge, is a railroad swing bridge spanning the Raritan River approximately from where it empties into Raritan Bay within Middlesex County, New Jersey. This structure links the municipalities of Perth Amboy and South Amboy, New Jersey.
History
Erected in 1908 as a replacement for an earlier bridge dating back to 1875, this bridge initially accommodated the New York and Long Branch Railroad, which was jointly managed by the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) and the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR). During its final construction phase, the bridge was targeted by a dynamite explosion causing sabotage. Soon after becoming operational, it endured damage from a harsh winter storm. Control of the bridge shifted from CNJ/PRR to Penn Central between 1968 and 1971, then transferred to the New Jersey Department of Transportation until 1983, and presently it is under the ownership of New Jersey Transit.
Operations
Currently, the bridge facilitates commuter rail services operated by NJT on the North Jersey Coast Line and also accommodates freight movements by Conrail in partnership with Norfolk Southern. According to federal guidelines, the bridge must open upon request except during peak commuter hours or when a train has already passed the controlling home signal.
Replacement
Following structural impairments caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012—including damage from storm surge flooding and collisions involving two tugboats—the bridge required realignment before resuming limited-speed operations about a month later. A federal grant totaling $446 million, announced in 2014, supports the construction of a new bridge while maintaining use of the existing one.
Construction on new approach spans commenced on September 15, 2020, with completion anticipated by 2026. On June 24, 2025, a formal event marked the initiation of work on the central lift span.
See also
External links
- Image of Raritan Bay Drawbridge from RailPictures.net
- Image of Raritan Bay Drawbridge from RailPictures.net
- Image of Raritan Bay Drawbridge from RailPictures.net
- Video showing towboat and barge passing beneath the Raritan River Railroad Bridge (pilot house view)