A New Jersey drawbridge will open on demand, not with four hours notice

The Coast Guard proposes to change how a railroad bridge over the Passaic River operates. It will switch from requiring a four-hour advance notice to opening on demand, controlled remotely.

This small change means trains and boats will face fewer delays at this specific point. It removes a minor but persistent logistical hurdle for both river traffic and rail freight. This is part of a quiet, decades-long effort to modernize old infrastructure by adding remote control and automation.