Upper Hack Lift facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upper Hack Lift |
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Upper Hack Lift from Secaucus bank of Hackensack River
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| Coordinates | 40°46′41″N 74°05′24″W / 40.778015°N 74.089906°W |
| Carries | One track of NJ Transit Main Line |
| Crosses | Hackensack River |
| Locale | Secaucus and Lyndhurst, New Jersey |
| Official name | Upper Hack Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Upper Hackensack Lift, Erie Lift, West Secaucus Bridge |
| Maintained by | NJ Transit |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Lift bridge |
| Longest span | 127 feet |
| Clearance below | 8 ft (lowered); 110 ft (raised) |
| History | |
| Opened | March 1959 |
The Upper Hack Lift is a special kind of bridge called a lift bridge. It carries one train track for New Jersey Transit's Main Line trains. This bridge crosses the Hackensack River in New Jersey. It connects the towns of Secaucus, New Jersey and Lyndhurst, New Jersey.
This bridge is important because it lets trains cross the river. It also allows boats to pass underneath. When a boat needs to go by, the middle part of the bridge lifts straight up. This creates a tall opening for ships.
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Building the Upper Hack Lift
The Upper Hack Lift bridge was built a long time ago. Construction started in 1958. It was finished in March 1959. The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad built this bridge. It was made to help their trains on the Boonton Line.
This new lift bridge replaced an older bridge. The old bridge was a "swing bridge" built in 1901. It had been damaged by strong river currents. The new lift bridge was much stronger. It cost about $5.5 million to build. That was a lot of money back then!
How the Bridge Changed Over Time
After it was built, the bridge's use changed a bit. In 1963, train routes were changed. The Erie Main Line trains started using this bridge. Later, NJ Transit commuter trains also began using it. They still use it today.
In 1994, the bridge got a new look. It was repainted to a bright turquoise blue color. You can see this color today.
A Unique Bridge
The Upper Hack Lift is quite special. It is the only single-track lift bridge in New Jersey. This means it only has one set of train tracks. (There is one other lift bridge, the Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge, but it connects to Staten Island, New York).
If you drive on the New Jersey Turnpike, you might see it! It's visible from the western spur of the Turnpike. You can spot it between Interchanges 15W and 16W.
You can even see parts of the old bridge next to the new one. Just north of the current bridge, there are concrete pieces. These are the remains of the older swing bridge.
How the Bridge Operates
The Upper Hack Lift is a "drawbridge." This means it can open to let boats pass. The U.S. Coast Guard sets the rules for when it can open. Usually, the bridge opens when a boat signals.
However, there's a special rule. The bridge tender, who operates the bridge, might be busy. Sometimes, they are at another bridge nearby. This other bridge is called the HX Draw on the Bergen County Line. If the tender is there, the Upper Hack Lift might not open right away.
