The basics:

• Gov. Mikie Sherrill recommends advancing $6.7B, four-lane Newark Bay Bridge replacement
• Plan reduces cost roughly 37% from prior $10.7B proposal
• Project expected to support approximately 19,000 jobs, including union construction roles
• Traffic would shift off aging 1956 bridge span by 2031, aligning with federal safety concerns

Gov. Mikie Sherrill is backing a pared-down version of the Newark Bay Bridge project. Her support will advance a four-lane replacement, while abandoning controversial plans to double its capacity promoted under former Gov. Phil Murphy.

“Today, I am recommending the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board advance the $6.7 billion Newark Bay Bridge program,” said Sherrill in a March 3 statement. “This historic investment in safety, resilience, and job creation will improve long-term reliability for drivers and freight.”

The revised approach represents a roughly 37% reduction from the earlier $10.7 billion proposal. It also goes beyond Murphy’s December revisions to the broader Newark Bay–Hudson County Extension program, which NJBIZ reported on.

At that time, Murphy scrapped plans to add new travel lanes east of Interchange 14A on the Turnpike. He instead redirected funding toward direct port access ramps, but left intact the twin-span, eight-lane bridge replacement. The proposal had drawn opposition from a number of local elected officials, environmental advocates and community stakeholders concerned about traffic and pollution impacts.

Sherrill’s plan instead calls for immediate construction of a four-lane bridge with shoulders and improvements. It maintains current capacity while allowing traffic to shift off the aging 1956 span by 2031 in line with federal safety concerns.

A historic Turnpike project

“This project will support approximately 19,000 jobs, including thousands of union construction jobs. It will generate economic activity across the region and create opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses in our state,” said Sherrill. “These are good-paying jobs that support families and local communities.

“The project will also allow traffic to shift off the aging existing bridge by 2031, consistent with NTSB [National Transportation Safety Board] concerns. This $6.7 billion investment will be the largest single project the New Jersey Turnpike Authority has ever advanced.”

She also recommended that roadway work leading to the Holland Tunnel move forward for safety improvements only — without expanding lanes.

“Finally, I am recommending that, going forward, the Turnpike require Project Labor Agreements on this program to guarantee that the work meets the utmost standards of safety and quality with a highly-skilled and diverse union workforce,” said Sherrill. “I am grateful for the input I have received from mayors, community leaders, and organized labor.

“I look forward to this historic, job-creating project that will grow our economy and improve commutes for the people of New Jersey.”

‘True, community-led leadership’

Local leaders immediately applauded the announcement. The communities led by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor James Solomon will both feel the impacts of the project.

The Newark Bay Bridge work expects to award contracts and begin construction in the coming months.

“Gov. Sherrill is showing true, community-led leadership,” said Baraka and Solomon. “Today’s decision acknowledges that the previous proposal would’ve opened the floodgates of heavy traffic through communities that already bear a high burden of traffic and air pollution. For years, our communities fought against a seriously ill-conceived plan while proposing serious alternatives.

“It took Gov. Sherrill’s leadership to listen and act in the best interest of the people of New Jersey.”

This win for our community is a testament to their hard work of building a coalition across the region.
— Mayors Ras Baraka and James Solomon

The mayors described the announcement as a major step in the direction of smart transportation policy. They said the upgrade address aging infrastructure, while also serving the needs of impacted communities.

“For years, dedicated community activists have campaigned for this reasonable solution. This win for our community is a testament to their hard work of building a coalition across the region,” the mayors said. “In the end, Governor Sherrill made the right choice for the future of our cities, the environment, and for the economic future of New Jersey.

“Both of us sincerely thank Governor for her leadership.”

‘Older than the New York Mets’

Utility and Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA) CEO David Rible also applauded the announcement.

“UTCA thanks Governor Sherrill for her support of this important project. We also look forward to working with Kris Kolluri – who has been among New Jersey’s strongest supporters of updated, modern infrastructure – in making this a reality,” Rible said in a statement. “The Newark Bay Bridge is older than the New York Mets and we cannot allow millions of people to rely on this kind of outdated structure.

“The advancement of the Newark Bay Bridge Program will ultimately create more efficient, modern and safer infrastructure. Our members stand ready, willing and able to get to work on building New Jersey’s future.”