Hackensack Drawbridge

The Hackensack Drawbridge is a steel railway bridge crossing the Hackensack River between Jersey City and Kearny. It featured two tracks and operated as a movable span to allow ships to pass through on the waterway below.

The Central Railroad of New Jersey opened this drawbridge in 1869 to establish rail service between Newark and Jersey City. A collision with the cargo ship SS Jagger Seam in 1946 destroyed portions of the structure, leading to its permanent closure.

The bridge supported regional transportation patterns by enabling passenger transfers between rail services and ferries heading to New York City.

Since the bridge no longer stands, you can view the site of its former location along the Hackensack River. The area is accessible by public transportation that connects Jersey City and surrounding communities.

Before the 1946 collision, the bridge was a vital transportation hub that connected rail passengers with ferries heading to New York City. The accident with the cargo ship marked the end of an era for regional rail service.

Location: New Jersey

Official opening: 1869

Made from material: steel

GPS coordinates: 40.71870,-74.10400

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:04