AECOM and STV will join forces to provide Amtrak with project management services for the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project, officials announced Monday.
The bridges replacement project is a key element of the Gateway Program designed to address the state of good repair needs, as well as double the passenger train capacity on the most congested section of the Northeast Corridor (NEC).
“We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Amtrak by supporting this crucial transit upgrade, which is part of an array of generational federal investments in the nation’s rail infrastructure,” said Mark Southwell, chief executive of AECOM’s global Transportation business. “Our track record of success on numerous NEC bridge replacement projects prepares us to deliver safe, reliable and resilient rail connectivity that meets both current and future demands on the NEC.”
Originally constructed in 1907, the Sawtooth Bridges serve as a link in the NEC, supporting more than 400 daily trains operated by Amtrak and NJ Transit over tracks used by NJ Transit, PATH and Conrail freight trains. Officials have said their age and structural deficiencies limit train speeds to 60 miles per hour which creates bottlenecks impacting rail operations along the rail line. The bridge replacement project will deliver three new bridges along a 1.9-mile corridor in Newark, NJ, between Penn Station and Secaucus Junction.
Led by AECOM, the joint venture will use a multi-phased delivery approach to implement project planning and oversee delivery of the upgraded and new structures, including design coordination and interaction management between railroads, utilities and third parties.
“We look forward to leveraging our extensive transportation resources, site knowledge, and experience with large-scale projects along the NEC to deliver innovative solutions that enhance rail reliability,” said Bane Gaiser, chief executive of AECOM’s U.S. East and Latin America region. “As Engineering News-Record’s top Mass Transit and Rail firm, we are excited to support Amtrak in upgrading its tracks and bridges, improving connectivity along one of the world’s busiest transportation corridors.”
Funding for the project is part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s funding allocation to Amtrak, which uses the federal dollars to advance modernization megaprojects along the NEC.