$47.7 million project will require separate detours for passenger vehicles and trucks through early 2027.
Motorists traveling through Upper Township should prepare for a significant traffic change beginning Monday night as New Jersey moves forward with the replacement of a 65-year-old bridge along Route 50.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation has announced that the Cedar Swamp Creek bridge will shut down to all through traffic at 10 p.m. Nov. 16. The closure will affect Route 50 between Tyler Road and Tuckahoe Road in Cape May County.
The shutdown marks a major phase of a $47.7 million infrastructure project that will replace the aging structure and improve a roadway that serves as an important connection between inland communities and the Jersey Shore.
What drivers need to know
Passenger vehicles and larger commercial vehicles will follow different detour routes while construction is underway.
Drivers traveling north on Route 50 in passenger vehicles will use Tyler Road (County Route 616) to reach Tuckahoe Road (County Route 631), which reconnects with Route 50.
Southbound motorists will follow the reverse route, using Tuckahoe Road to reach Tyler Road before returning to Route 50.
A separate, longer detour has been established for trucks, buses, recreational vehicles and vehicles towing trailers.
Northbound drivers in those categories will travel along Route 9 (Shore Road) before turning onto Tuckahoe Road and continuing toward Route 50.
Southbound truck traffic will use Tuckahoe Road to connect with Route 9 before returning to Route 50.
Both detours are anticipated to remain in effect until early 2027.
Although the bridge will be inaccessible to through traffic, residents and businesses along the affected roadway will continue to have local access. That includes Ocean City Campground & Beach Cabins.
Why the bridge is being replaced
The existing Cedar Swamp Creek bridge has served motorists for more than six decades. Beyond its importance to everyday commuters and seasonal visitors, Route 50 is a designated coastal evacuation corridor.
The replacement is intended to improve the route’s long-term reliability and safety.
Plans for the new structure include wider shoulders measuring 10 feet, space for a sidewalk that could be used in the future, and improvements to surrounding roadways, drainage systems and environmental features.
The project also represents a change in how NJDOT manages major construction.
For the first time, the department is using a design-build approach, placing engineering and construction responsibilities under a single contract. The method allows certain phases of planning and construction to proceed simultaneously, potentially reducing delays and improving coordination.
Construction will continue beyond the detours
While NJDOT anticipates reopening the roadway to traffic in early 2027, the overall bridge replacement project is scheduled to continue through the end of 2028.
Drivers who regularly use Route 50 should allow additional travel time, particularly during busy commuting periods and seasonal traffic increases.
Motorists can find current road conditions, construction advisories and traffic updates at 511nj.org.
