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Cape May County Bridge Commission approves consent agenda, hears multi-bridge project updates
Summary
The commission approved minutes and four consent resolutions and received a full capital projects briefing covering Ocean City–Longport fishing pier work, Corson's Inlet closeout, Townsend's Inlet and Grassy Sound fender installations with planned night pile driving, Middle Thorofare motor replacement and tolling coordination, system upgrades, and inspection timelines.
The Cape May County Bridge Commission approved minutes, paid the bills and adopted four consent resolutions during a Jan. 15, 2026 meeting at the County Administration Building in Cape May Court House.
The actions were approved after routine roll call and a motion by Secretary/Treasurer Maryanne K. Murphy that was seconded by Vice Chairman Scott Halliday and carried unanimously by the three commissioners present (Chairman Carol Brand, Halliday and Murphy). The consent package included Resolution 26-3829 authorizing the chairman to sign an officer's certificate; Resolution 26-3830, certifying monthly deposits for September 2025 totaling $551,131.02; Resolution 26-3821, approving a ceiling amount for interim payments of health benefits and payroll between commission meetings; and Resolution 26-3832, amending Resolution 23-3637.
Project Manager Jason Futrell delivered a detailed capital-projects update that covered multiple bridge projects and system upgrades. He said the Ocean City–Longport fishing-pier project was awarded and a Notice to Proceed issued Dec. 18, 2025; a pre-construction meeting took place Jan. 8, 2026, and contractor Walters Marine is preparing a schedule and submittals with procurement underway. Futrell reported Walters Marine has 120 calendar days for completion.
Futrell said the Corson's Inlet Bridge rehabilitation is closed: the County approved the final change order, Michael Baker International transmitted electronic and mylar as‑builts to the County, final payment application was prepared, and close-out documents have been received.
The commission heard that the County awarded the Townsend's Inlet fender-construction contract to South State, Inc.; underwater pre-construction inspection of the channel is complete and construction has begun. Futrell said the bridge will be closed at night for pile-driving operations below the bascule span beginning Jan. 13, 2026 and continuing Monday through Thursday nights until piles are installed. "They are projected to be installed within the next week if weather permits," Futrell reported, and the project is targeted for completion prior to Memorial Day 2026.
Futrell reported the Grassy Sound superstructure rehabilitation is on hold awaiting the CDS (Booker) process in Congress before bidding can proceed.
On Middle Thorofare Bridge work, Futrell said a coordination meeting with Michael Baker International, the County, Cape May County Bridge Commission staff and GFT is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2026 to discuss tolling layout and infrastructure needs. He added that a motor is scheduled to ship Jan. 23; upon receipt Total Control Systems will inspect the motor on-site to verify dimensions and compatibility prior to installation, with a target for completion before late spring.
Futrell outlined planned electrical and controls upgrades: Total Control Systems will design and install emergency-stop pushbuttons at Grassy Sound and Townsend's Inlet, brake interlock circuits at Townsend's Inlet, gate/span/brake interlock circuits at Middle and Grassy, and replace a PLC selector switch with a keyed switch. Design work was to begin the week of Jan. 15 with installation anticipated the week of Jan. 22.
All NBIS biennial inspections have been completed and the team is preparing reports and load-rating calculations, with preliminary submissions expected in April 2026, Futrell said. He also noted that new AET scanners from OSI remain slated for replacement but are awaiting GFI availability; the tolling system was reported to be "working properly." The minutes record no old business, no new business and no public comments.
The minutes close with the executive director's attestation.
Votes at a glance: Approval of Dec. 18, 2025 minutes — motion by Maryanne K. Murphy, second by Scott Halliday; outcome: approved unanimously by commissioners present. Payment of bills — motion by Murphy, second by Halliday; outcome: approved unanimously. Consent Resolutions 26-3829 through 26-3832 — motion by Murphy, second by Halliday; outcome: approved unanimously.
