Gov. Phil Murphy, New Jersey Transit officials and state lawmakers celebrated the groundbreaking of the next phase of the Raritan River Bridge on the North Jersey Coast Line.

The first phase of the project was the construction of the approaches to the new bridge. That phase is nearly complete.

Tuesday’s event celebrated the groundbreaking of the center lift span of the new bridge.

The new bridge will replace the current 117-year-old swing bridge, which spins open.