A New Jersey railroad bridge will no longer open for boats

The Coast Guard is removing the operating regulation for the AMTRAK Dock Railroad Bridge over the Passaic River in Harrison, New Jersey. This means the bridge, which previously could open to let boats pass, will now be permanently fixed in place.

This small change means that river traffic will no longer be able to pass under the bridge if their vessels are too tall. For the railroad, it means fewer operational delays and maintenance costs associated with opening and closing the bridge. It locks in a preference for rail over river transport at this specific point.