Bridge commission hears timetable and cost updates for multiple bridge projects, motor delivery expected this week

The Cape May County Bridge Commission received updates on Jan. 16 on schedules and cost estimates for multiple capital projects, with staff reporting an auxiliary drive motor for the Middle Thorofare Bridge expected to ship by the end of the week. Antonio Colón, project manager, provided the monthly capital improvement report to the commission at the County Administration Building in Cape May Court House. The commission’s consent agenda later authorized a consultant task order for Middle Thorofare design work. Why it matters: several projects affect seasonal traffic and require phased construction; accurate schedules and spare parts are central to maintaining bridge operations.

Colón told commissioners that the auxiliary drive system for the Middle Thorofare Bridge was expected to ship by the end of the week or early next week, and that once received a consultant would be on site to install and verify measurements against final shop drawings. The Ocean Drive (CR 621) improvements and bridge replacements held a first progress meeting on Jan. 16; Colón said some follow-up questions were sent to the county and the next progress meeting is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2025. The commission on the consent agenda authorized Remington & Vernick Engineers, Inc. for owner’s representative consultant services for the Middle Thorofare bridge design and replacement in a task not to exceed $300,000 (Resolution 25-3762).

On Corson’s Inlet Bridge, Colón said costs previously approved by the county remain valid and that the contractor’s current schedule shows about two months of additional work; staff is still targeting a July 4, 2025 completion date. For the Ocean City–Longport Bridge, plans for a fishing pier have been reviewed and are being prepared for bid; Colón reported an original estimate of $374,000, noted that adding electrical work raised the figure to $454,000, and said adding 10% contingency brings the estimate to about $500,000.

Colón reported that 100% of the documentation for the Grassy Sound Bridge superstructure rehabilitation has been received and is under review, and staff is exploring grant funding options. Work on scour abatement that began in late October continued at Pier 13, with pile jackets being installed and concrete poured; Colón said the contractor is expected to complete Pier 13 work and move to the Grassy Sound portion by the end of January and be offsite from the current location by mid-February. The commission advertised a Phase 1 Local Concept Development RFP on Dec. 18, 2024; bids were due Jan. 29, 2025, and staff said it would advertise Phase 2 about 60 days after receiving Phase 1 bids.

Colón also reported that an interim NBIS (National Bridge Inspection Standards) inspection contract had completed interim inspections and the cycle inspection of the Ocean City–Longport Bridge; the commission is awaiting consultant reports and scheduled a status-call later the same day.

During public comment, a member of the public asked whether the commission keeps a second motor on hand in case of emergency; the transcript records the question but contains no follow-up commitment from the commission in the meeting record. The commission did not take a separate formal action at the meeting on spare-part inventory.

Less critical details: the commission’s next progress meeting on Middle Thorofare is Feb. 20, 2025, and staff said consultant installation and measurement verification would follow motor delivery.