Route 50 Bridge To Close As $47.7M Replacement Begins

UPPER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Route 50 Bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek is scheduled to close in both directions beginning at 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, between Tyler Road and Tuckahoe Road/CR 631 in Upper Township, according to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The closure is tied to the start of a $47.7 million bridge replacement project in Cape May County.

Subscribe

According to NJDOT, local access will be maintained for residents and businesses, including Ocean City Campground & Beach Cabins. The agency said the bridge must close so crews can demolish and replace the span. Separate detours for cars and trucks will be used during construction, and NJDOT said the detours are expected to remain in place through early 2027.

For northbound car traffic on Route 50, motorists will be directed to turn right onto Tyler Road/CR 616, then left onto Tuckahoe Road/CR 631 to return to Route 50. Southbound cars will be directed to turn left onto Tuckahoe Road/CR 631, then right onto Tyler Road/CR 616 back to Route 50.

The truck detour also applies to commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles pulling trailers, recreational vehicles and buses, according to NJDOT. Northbound truck traffic will be directed to turn right onto Route 9/Shore Road, then left onto Tuckahoe Road/CR 631, and left again to continue on Tuckahoe Road/CR 631 back to Route 50. Southbound trucks will be directed to turn left onto Tuckahoe Road/CR 631, then right to continue on Tuckahoe Road/CR 631, and right onto Route 9/Shore Road back to Route 50.

NJDOT said this is its first project built under the Design-Build alternative project delivery method, which combines design and construction in one contract rather than using separate contracts. According to the release, the approach is meant to streamline work, allow design and construction phases to overlap and reduce changes once construction begins.

The agency said the 65-year-old bridge is officially designated as a coastal evacuation route for shore communities and is important for travel to and from coastal Cape May County, especially in summer and during the fall shoulder season. According to NJDOT, the replacement bridge will include a future-use sidewalk and 10-foot shoulders, along with roadway, environmental and drainage improvements. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

NJDOT encouraged motorists to check 511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information. The agency said procurement documents for the project will be posted on the Alternative Project Delivery page on the NJDOT Procurement page.