Dock Bridge - Passaic River

Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:50 am FRA Funding: FRA.DOT.GOV

New Jersey – Gateway Program: Dock Bridge Rehabilitation (Up to $300,184,000)
... installation of straight steel rails to replace moveable miter rails ...

Does this mean the bridge is being closed for good, or just that it will get a more reliable technology less likely to fail when the bridge is opened and closed.?

installation of straight steel rails to replace moveable miter rails

Sounds like it will be closed for good, unless you want to open it and tear out a bunch of welded rail.

Does this quote mean Dock will no longer open?

" installation of straight steel rails to replace moveable miter rails, "

Yes, see the post literally above yours.

west point wrote: ↑Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:14 pm Does this quote mean Dock will no longer open?

" installation of straight steel rails to replace moveable miter rails, "

Yes. To confirm, can go to the NEC Commission website, then to the document library and download the Appendix to the NEC Capital Investment Plan (FY 2023-2027). On the page for the Dock Bridge project in the general information section, it states:
"The Highline Renewal and State of Good Repair for Dock Bridge includes several enhancements and modifications: structural steel painting (the largest portion of the proposed scope; will remove original, failed lead paint that is contributing to corrosion of the bridge), steel repairs, modifications to convert the bridge to a fixed bridge, installation of straight rail to replace movable miter rails, new aesthetic lighting to increase civic presence, fender replacement, concrete pier repairs, and the associated installation of a targeted cathodic protection system designed to slow or stop the corrosion process of the bridge’s concrete supports. This work will prolong the life of the bridge and minimize the risk of more costly rehabilitation in the future."
So Amtrak (and NJ Transit) will have 1 less moveable bridge to deal with on the NEC.
(delurking after not having posted to rr.net in some time)

Includes photos and diagrams: "September 13, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE (1-191)
SUBJECT: PROPOSED MODIFICATION OF THE NATIONAL RAILROAD
PASSENGER CORPORATION (AMTRAK) DOCK BRIDGE OVER THE PASSAIC
RIVER, MILE 5.0 BETWEEN NEWARK AND HARRISON, NEW JERSEY
All interested parties are notified that the Commander, First Coast Guard District, has received an
application from AMTRAK (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) for approval of the
location and plans for modification of three parallel movable spans of the railroad bridges to a
fixed bridge over a navigable waterway of the United States." https://navcen.uscg.gov/sites/default/f ... ver_NJ.pdf

What sort of marine traffic goes through here and how often? Must not be anything big if current levels allow for the bridge to be locked in place.

Bracdude181 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 4:03 pm What sort of marine traffic goes through here and how often? Must not be anything big if current levels allow for the bridge to be locked in place.

Practically nothing? We opened it for something in the winter of 2019(?) after the interlocking was remoted to PSCC in late 2017. Hell, PATH didn't even have to lift their span. We only moved the 1 and 2,3,4 spans.

THanks everyone for clearing up the issue of it DOCK will really become a fixed span.
I remember some posts years ago about how often they would have to open Dock to barge out the spoils from dredging upstream on the Passaic River to get all the PCB's or whatever out of the river bottom. Either that is all done, or they will truck them out instead of barges I suppose. Or use barges & tugs that only require a very low vertical clearance.
JS

Dock Bridge Rehabilitation | Amtrak - lots of details.
"Final Design; construction is anticipated to begin in 2024."

Dock Bridge - Wikipedia

The lower 17 miles (27 km) downstream of the 90-mile (140 km) long Passaic River below the Dundee Dam is tidally influenced and navigable.[3] When closed the bridge has a vertical clearance of 24 feet (7.3 m) above mean high water and opens to clear 135 ft (41 m).[8] It is infrequently lifted and, prior to 2014,[9] had not received a request for a river traffic opening since 2004.[8] In 2011 regulations were changed so that it need not be open on demand (as it previously had[10]) but with a 24-hour notice.[11] During four-year removal of dredged materials from the Passaic the bridge is expected to open upwards of 10 times per day.[12] In 2020 Amtrak requested that bridge remain in closed position until such time as it can be rehabilitated.[13]

So making that bridge a fixed one won't be much of a loss.

lpetrich wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2024 7:53 pm Dock Bridge Rehabilitation | Amtrak - lots of details.
"Final Design; construction is anticipated to begin in 2024."

Dock Bridge - Wikipedia

The lower 17 miles (27 km) downstream of the 90-mile (140 km) long Passaic River below the Dundee Dam is tidally influenced and navigable.[3] When closed the bridge has a vertical clearance of 24 feet (7.3 m) above mean high water and opens to clear 135 ft (41 m).[8] It is infrequently lifted and, prior to 2014,[9] had not received a request for a river traffic opening since 2004.[8] In 2011 regulations were changed so that it need not be open on demand (as it previously had[10]) but with a 24-hour notice.[11] During four-year removal of dredged materials from the Passaic the bridge is expected to open upwards of 10 times per day.[12] In 2020 Amtrak requested that bridge remain in closed position until such time as it can be rehabilitated.[13]

So making that bridge a fixed one won't be much of a loss.

Lotta signal revisions involved with converting it to a fixed span. Need to remove all the RBR or NBR relay logic in the vital microloks. Get rid of the GEK! I think this one was designed with the NBK being energized when lined for rail traffic, while Portal had the RBK up for rail traffic.

https://www.nj.com/news/2025/01/this-nj ... utType=amp

This N.J. train bridge gets stuck open. Soon, it’ll stay closed permanently.
...
The 90-year-old Dock Bridge, which carries 720 trains a day on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, three NJ Transit and PATH World Trade Center lines over the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison, will no longer be a lift bridge as part of a larger rehabilitation project.
...
The U.S. Coast Guard approved Amtrak’s application on Jan. 7 to permanently close the bridge starting with a 120-day temporary closure. That could lead to a permit to allow the big span to permanently stay in the down position.

Dock Bridge is the enormous twin span lift bridge that takes six tracks across the Passaic River and was built in 1935 by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
...

Everyone: Good to see that Dock Bridge at Newark getting some work to be a fixed bridge...
In case anyone is unaware there are three lift spans: Single Track 1 primarily eastward;
Two PATH tracks E/W (Originally H&M) which are both at different angles and for three
tracks 2, 3 and 4 (with lead into 5) along with Dock Tower and bridgetenders...

Pet Peeve Time: Would the term "Railroad Bridge" be a better general description here?
"Train Bridge" and for that matter the now-overused term "Train Car(s)" not only read
and sound awkward - in the realm of rail cars (better term) do not describe anything at
all whatsoever about car types - Passenger or Freight Car are the two most common...
(end of rant)...This terminology could be a decent discussion topic in itself...MACTRAXX