Vital Bridge Replacement Set In Cape May County

A $47.7 million contract has been awarded for the Route 50 Bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek replacement project in Upper Township, a major state project tied to travel in and out of Cape May County.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill and New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Priya Jain announced that Agate Construction Company, Inc. and A. Servidone, Inc./B. Anthony Construction Corp. JV received the award for what the state described as the Department’s first Design-Build project. The bridge is in Cape May County.

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According to the announcement, the 65-year-old Route 50 Bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek is officially designated as a coastal evacuation route for shore communities. The state also said it plays a vital role in moving visitors to and from coastal Cape May County, especially in the summer and during the fall shoulder season.

“When I took office, I made clear that we were going to do things differently and deliver for the people of New Jersey. That means taking more efficient, innovative approaches to modernizing our aging infrastructure. The Route 50 Bridge project reflects that, by replacing this critical connection to Cape May County and key coastal evacuation route through New Jersey’s first-ever Design-Build approach. By combining design and construction into one streamlined process, we’re cutting delays, lowering costs, and delivering this long-overdue upgrade faster for New Jerseyans,” Sherrill said.

Traditionally, transportation projects use separate contracts for design and construction. NJDOT said the Design-Build method combines both into a single contract, allowing design and construction phases to overlap. According to the department, that approach can improve coordination, reduce risk, limit changes after work begins and help move projects faster.

“The scale and urgency of New Jersey's infrastructure needs require us at the NJDOT to think differently and with Governor Sherrill's support we are advancing the Department's first-ever Design Build project to improve coordination, control costs and ultimately save time and money,” Jain said. “Design-Build will be another tool for the DOT to build infrastructure that is safer, more resilient, and better prepared for the future. All without compromising quality or accountability.”

The state said the replacement project will include a future-use sidewalk and 10-foot shoulders, along with roadway, environmental and drainage improvements. The work also will be done in a way intended to minimize traffic and community impacts, according to the announcement.

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2026 and be completed by the end of 2028. NJDOT also said it is advancing two other Design-Build projects, one in Fort Lee and another in Lawrence and Hamilton. Project procurement documents for the Upper Township bridge will be posted on the Alternative Project Delivery page on the NJDOT Procurement page.