Major Cape May County roadway will be shut down in both directions as crews replace a 65-year-old bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek. Detours are expected to remain in place into early 2027.
UPPER TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Motorists traveling through Cape May County will face a major traffic disruption beginning Monday night, November 16, when the New Jersey Department of Transportation closes a section of Route 50 in both directions to begin replacing the aging bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek.
The closure is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Monday between Tyler Road and Tuckahoe Road, also known as County Road 631.
The $47.7 million project will replace the 65-year-old bridge, which state transportation officials have classified as being in poor condition.
Route 50 serves as an important north-south connection through Upper Township and is a designated coastal evacuation route. The roadway also carries motorists traveling to and from Cape May County shore communities.
The closure will require passenger vehicles, trucks, buses and recreational vehicles to use designated detours, which are expected to remain in place through early 2027.
Local access will be maintained for residents and businesses within the affected section of Route 50, including Ocean City Campground & Beach Cabins.
Detour Routes for Motorists
The Department of Transportation has established separate detours for passenger vehicles and larger commercial vehicles.
For passenger vehicles traveling northbound on Route 50:
Drivers will turn right onto Tyler Road, also known as County Road 616, then turn left onto Tuckahoe Road to return to Route 50.
For passenger vehicles traveling southbound on Route 50:
Drivers will turn left onto Tuckahoe Road, then right onto Tyler Road to return to Route 50.
For trucks, buses, recreational vehicles and vehicles towing trailers traveling northbound:
Drivers will turn right onto Route 9, also known as Shore Road, then turn left onto Tuckahoe Road and follow it back to Route 50.
For trucks, buses, recreational vehicles and vehicles towing trailers traveling southbound:
Drivers will turn left onto Tuckahoe Road, follow it to Route 9, then turn right onto Route 9 to return to Route 50.
Motorists should anticipate additional traffic along Tyler Road, Tuckahoe Road and Route 9 as vehicles are redirected around the construction area.
Temporary traffic signals are planned at the intersections of Route 50 and Tyler Road and Tyler Road and Tuckahoe Road to help manage the increased traffic.
County Officials Say Full Closure Will Speed Up Construction
The decision to close the bridge completely represents a change from the state's original construction approach.
Earlier plans called for replacing the bridge in stages while keeping at least one lane open to traffic.
However, Cape May County officials supported a revised plan that allows the contractor to close the roadway completely during the initial replacement work.
The county says the full closure will substantially shorten the construction schedule and reduce the overall period of disruption for motorists.
Cape May County Board of Commissioners Director Leonard Desiderio explained the reasoning when the county endorsed the detour plan in September.
"By supporting a full closure and a carefully planned detour onto county roads, we are creating the conditions for the contractor to finish this important bridge project faster and with less overall disruption for residents and motorists," Desiderio said.
"Safety, coordination with emergency and school services, and minimizing long-term inconvenience remain our top priorities."
The county worked with Upper Township officials, emergency responders, school transportation representatives and other affected agencies before approving the detour arrangement.
Upper Township Raises Concerns About Tyler Road Safety
The anticipated increase in traffic has already prompted concerns among Upper Township officials and residents.
During an October 13 Township Committee meeting, officials adopted a resolution requesting additional safety measures along Tyler Road, which will serve as the primary detour for passenger vehicles.
The township asked Cape May County to consider temporarily reducing the speed limit and establishing a no-passing zone along the entire roadway during construction.
Committeeman Tyler Cassaccio acknowledged concerns from residents who live along the detour route.
"People of Tyler Road were not too thrilled with the impending detour but we heard their complaints," Cassaccio said.
Mayor Curtis Corson also expressed concern about the existing 50 mph speed limit and the prospect of additional vehicles using the road.
"It would be hard for us to go 50 miles and hour down there and we don't want people to go 50 miles per hour down there and pass when there's going to be increasing traffic," Corson said.
The township's requests reflect concerns about the impact of diverting Route 50 traffic onto a local road that was not designed to function as a major highway.
The status of the requested temporary speed reduction and no-passing designation has not been independently confirmed.
Why the Bridge Must Be Replaced
The Route 50 bridge over Cedar Swamp Creek was constructed approximately 65 years ago.
According to NJDOT, the existing structure is in poor condition, with deterioration affecting its supporting components.
The bridge crosses a tidal waterway and is located in an environmentally sensitive area of Upper Township.
State transportation officials have identified the replacement as necessary to maintain a safe and reliable connection for residents, businesses, emergency services and visitors.
The new bridge will include wider 10-foot shoulders, provisions for a future sidewalk and improvements to the surrounding roadway.
The project also includes drainage and environmental improvements, along with work on the approaches to the bridge.
State permit documents indicate that the improvements include raising portions of the approach roadways and addressing substandard roadway design elements.
The replacement is particularly important because Route 50 is part of a designated coastal evacuation route.
During major storms or other emergencies, reliable evacuation routes are essential for moving residents and visitors away from vulnerable shore communities.
New Construction Method Being Used for First Time
The Route 50 replacement is also significant because it is the first New Jersey Department of Transportation project to use the state's new Design-Build construction approach.
Under the traditional system, the state typically completes the design phase before separately awarding a construction contract.
The Design-Build method allows one team to handle both design and construction, potentially reducing delays and allowing portions of the work to proceed simultaneously.
In May, Gov. Mikie Sherrill and NJDOT Commissioner Priya Jain announced that a team consisting of Agate Construction Company and a joint venture of A. Servidone Inc. and B. Anthony Construction Corp. had been awarded the $47.7 million contract.
Sherrill said the project demonstrates the state's efforts to modernize aging infrastructure more efficiently.
The governor described the bridge as a critical connection to Cape May County and emphasized its importance as a coastal evacuation route.
State officials have said the Design-Build approach should help streamline construction while minimizing unnecessary delays.
Detours Through Early 2027, Project Completion Expected in 2028
Although the full closure and detours are expected to continue into early 2027, the overall bridge replacement project will take considerably longer.
NJDOT currently anticipates completing the project by the end of 2028.
Additional roadway, drainage and environmental work may continue after traffic is restored to the new bridge.
For residents and commuters, the most immediate concern will be the closure beginning Monday night.
Drivers who regularly use Route 50 should become familiar with the detour routes and allow additional travel time, particularly during morning and afternoon commuting periods.
The project could also affect school transportation, emergency vehicle routing and access to businesses near the construction area.
State transportation officials will provide traffic and construction updates through the 511NJ traveler information system.
With Route 50 serving as a major connection through Upper Township, the closure is expected to be one of Cape May County's most significant roadway disruptions heading into the winter months.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
