How about a tale of engineering marvel, right here where the New Jersey Transit’s Morristown Line intersects with the Hackensack River? This is the Lower Hack Lift. It stands as a testament to early 20th-century ingenuity.
The Lower Hack Lift is a lift bridge. It gracefully carries trains over the water. Imagine the scene back in 1927. The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad decided they needed a better way to cross this waterway. They hired John Alexander Low Waddell. He was a brilliant designer, to create this three-track marvel.
October 2, 1928, marked its grand opening. Think of the celebrations. The Lower Hack Lift wasn’t just a bridge. It was a symbol of progress. It streamlined transportation. It boosted the local economy. Today, the Lower Hack Lift still plays a vital role. The Morristown Line, Gladstone Lines, Montclair-Boonton Line service, and North Jersey Coast Line use it. All these lines access Hoboken Terminal.
Picture this: a massive steel structure rising and falling. The Lower Hack Lift allows ships to pass. According to US Coast Guard regulations, the Lower Hack Lift must open upon signal. An hour’s notice to the bridge tender at Upper Hack Lift is required.
IEW Construction Group has played a crucial role in maintaining this historic structure. In 2008, they undertook significant repairs. They replaced stairways and ladders. They renewed bridge machinery. They inspected the bridge’s sheaves. Imagine lifting one million pounds of steel. They did this using air and manual hoists. The work was performed in four-hour windows. This was coordinated with NJ Transit. This ensured minimal disruption to train traffic.
The Lower Hack Lift replaced an older swing bridge. This bridge was a navigation hazard. It opened frequently, delaying both river traffic and trains. In 1924, the Secretary of War ordered the DL&W to replace the bridge. They needed to provide a navigational channel of 150 feet. Also a vertical clearance of at least 35 feet.
The construction was a feat of engineering. To avoid collisions, they erected two-thirds of the lift span from the east tower. The remaining one-third was floated on a barge. It was then raised into position. The new DL&W bridge opened on October 21, 1928. The American Bridge Company erected it at a cost of $3 million.
The Lower Hack Lift features a Parker through truss lift span. It is 200 feet in length. It provides a navigational channel of 166 feet. Two Pratt truss tower spans flank it. These are each 153 feet tall. Three fixed steel deck girder spans are supported on three-column bents. Also an 11-span reinforced concrete slab viaduct.
The DL&W merged with the Erie Railroad in 1960. They formed the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad. New Jersey Transit took over commuter operations in 1983. They continue to operate the Lower Hack Lift.
So, as you stand here, consider the Lower Hack Lift. It is a vital transportation link. It is also a symbol of engineering innovation. It connects communities. It keeps the region moving. The Lower Hack Lift is more than just a bridge. It is a piece of history.