Governor Mikie Sherrill and New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Priya Jain today announced a $47.7 million contract award to Agate Construction Company, Inc. and A. Servidone, Inc./B. Anthony Construction Corp. JV for the Route 50 Bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek replacement project. This marks NJDOT's inaugural use of the Design-Build project delivery method, located in Upper Township, Cape May County.
Governor Sherrill said that her administration is committed to "taking more efficient, innovative approaches to modernizing our aging infrastructure." She added that the Route 50 Bridge project, utilizing the Design-Build approach, aims to "cut delays, lower costs, and deliver this long-overdue upgrade faster for New Jerseyans." Commissioner Jain echoed this, stating that 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 Design-Build method streamlines project delivery by combining design and construction into a single contract, unlike traditional separate contracts. This approach fosters collaboration and innovation, optimizing designs, reducing risk, and identifying more cost-effective solutions. It also allows design and construction phases to overlap, leading to fewer changes during construction and quicker project completion.
The 65-year-old Route 50 Bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek is a vital coastal evacuation route for shore communities and a key connection to Cape May County, currently in poor condition. The replacement will include a future-use sidewalk and 10-foot shoulders, with construction planned to minimize traffic and community impacts while improving roadway, environmental, and drainage systems. Construction is anticipated to commence in fall 2026 and be completed by the end of 2028. NJDOT is also advancing two additional Design-Build projects for the Route 9W Bridge in Fort Lee and an I-295 section in Lawrence and Hamilton.