The Sawtooth Bridges Replacement in Kearny, New Jersey, is a signature early project within the Gateway Program and a major step toward modernizing the most congested 10‑mile section of the Northeast Corridor. Originally built in 1907, the existing bridges carry more than 400 Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT trains each day. The replacement effort will construct three new bridges along a 1.9‑mile segment between Newark Penn Station and Secaucus Junction, doubling track capacity and enabling train speeds to increase from 60 mph to 90 mph. STV, in a joint venture led by AECOM, is providing program management and construction management services to support Amtrak’s state‑of‑good‑repair and reliability goals.
What challenges is STV addressing?
The project corridor is one of the busiest rail segments in the nation, surrounded by dense infrastructure, active rail operations and multiple utilities. Coordinating design, construction phasing and stakeholder engagement requires a multi‑phased delivery approach with seamless communication across Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT, utility owners and third parties. The team must also advance complex structures while maintaining rail service and minimizing operational disruptions.
What solutions is STV delivering?
The joint venture is managing planning, design coordination and construction oversight for the replacement of the three structures. Services include program controls, schedule and risk management, integration of alternative delivery methods and oversight of contractor and design activities. The JV is also coordinating interfaces with railroads, roadway agencies and utility companies to support streamlined delivery across the 1.9‑mile corridor.
How will this project benefit the community?
The upgraded Sawtooth Bridges will strengthen reliability on the busiest passenger rail corridor in the United States. Increased speeds, expanded capacity and modernized infrastructure will improve daily travel for hundreds of thousands of riders and support long‑term economic growth throughout the region. The project is a foundational investment in the broader Gateway Program.
Key stats and accolades
- Three new bridges along a 1.9‑mile corridor
- Capacity doubled with speed increases from 60 to 90 mph
- More than 400 daily trains served by the corridor
- Part of the Gateway Program’s early construction phase
