Skanska Awarded $93M Contract for Dock Bridge Rehabilitation Project in Newark, NJ

Newark, NJ – Skanska, a leading global construction and development firm, today announced it has been awarded by Amtrak to carry out the $93 million Dock Bridge Rehabilitation Project in Newark, NJ.

Opened in 1935, Dock Bridge is a six-track, triple-span movable lift bridge spanning the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison, NJ, along one of the busiest sections of the Northeast Corridor. The bridge serves as a vital link for Amtrak, Port-Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH), and New Jersey Transit (NJ TRANSIT) passenger rail, handling an average of 720 train crossings daily. 

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Amtrak on this critical bridge rehabilitation, delivering safer and more efficient operations on one of the nation’s busiest rail corridors,” said Michael Donohue, Skanska Koch senior vice president and general manager. “This project will extend the life of the bridge, improve reliability for thousands of daily passengers, and lay the foundation for even stronger, more resilient rail infrastructure for decades to come.” 

The scope of the bid-build project includes upgrades to the three parallel vertical-lift bridges carrying six passenger rail tracks along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. The work involves decommissioning the movable spans and securing them in a fixed position, including the removal of existing mechanical and electrical systems. It also encompasses jacking existing bridge counterweights and installing permanent counterweight supports, rehabilitating concrete piers and removing the current fender system. Additional tasks include jacking and rehabilitating lift span expansion bearings, replacing catwalk railings and miscellaneous structural metals, supporting Amtrak force account work and modifying traction power systems and miter rails. 

The Dock Bridge project is part of the larger Gateway Program, a comprehensive series of infrastructure initiatives designed to enhance the efficiency, capacity and resiliency of the Northeast Corridor (NEC), the busiest passenger rail route in the United States. Skanska is currently partnering with Amtrak on two additional Gateway Program projects: the replacement and demolition of the existing Portal North Bridge, in a joint venture with Traylor Brothers, and the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project, where Skanska has been selected alongside Walsh & Herzog in a joint venture to conduct pre-construction activities. 

Construction commenced in Q2 2026 and is expected to reach final completion at the end of 2028.