Millville Westbound Route 49 Bridge Rebuild On Schedule, Detours Remain
NJDOT says the federally funded $12.4M Route 49 westbound bridge rebuild in Millville is on schedule, with the first phase due in April and detours and intersection closures continuing through spring.
The rebuilding of the westbound side of the Route 49/Main Street bridge over the Maurice River in downtown Millville is on schedule, State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Elizabeth Galamba said, and NJDOT expects the first reconstruction phase to be completed in April. The federally funded project began traffic shifts the evening of August 21, 2025 and carries an overall contractual completion date of June 15, 2027.
Work began with demolition of the westbound bridge deck while leaving the existing abutments in place, and traffic has been routed to the eastbound lane to carry two-way traffic during that reconstruction. The contract was awarded to South State Inc. of Bridgeton in December 2024. A Courier-Post photo taken March 2, 2026 shows vehicles crossing the eastbound side as crews continue rebuilding the opposite lane.
NJDOT’s August 20, 2025 press advisory set the traffic pattern that remains in effect through spring 2026, with the agency directing that Route 49/Main Street eastbound traffic be shifted to the right shoulder and westbound traffic be shifted left into the eastbound travel lane. Beginning at 9 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2025, certain movements at the Ware Avenue, Buck Street, and Riverside Drive intersections were closed and detoured to accommodate demolition and reconstruction. NJDOT spelled out specific detour routing for select movements: motorists on Route 49 eastbound wishing to turn left onto Buck Street are being directed to turn left onto North High Street, then left onto Pine Street back to Buck Street, while trucks on Buck Street accessing Route 49 westbound are routed to East Pine Street, then right onto North High Street, then right onto Route 49 westbound. NJDOT advised, "Motorists are advised to slow down, use caution, and expect delays when driving through the work zone."
The $12.4 million figure in NJDOT materials appears alongside reporting that lists the project at $12.38 million; both numbers are being used in official and news accounts. Project scope described by NJDOT includes replacement of the bridge decks, demolition and reconstruction of the westbound deck and girders, concrete repairs to the substructure and repairs to the superstructure. The work package also covers curb and sidewalk repairs, lighting upgrades and drainage improvements, with the eastbound deck slated for reconstruction after the westbound phase is finished and traffic is moved onto the rebuilt westbound side.
Millville municipal materials filed last year underscore the local stakes: a City of Millville 2025 resolution notes the bridges in this corridor are part of Cumberland County’s designated evacuation routes, are major arteries to Philadelphia and shore points, and experience heavy summer traffic. The resolution also endorses NJDOT’s decision to post "No Bicycles" signs at the Route 55 on-ramps from Route 49 and expresses support for a separate full replacement project for the Route 55 bridges over Route 49, structure numbers 0609-155 and 0609-156. Names appearing on the municipal record include Benjamin J. Romanik and Stephen E. Watson, Jr. in the voting section of that resolution.
For clarification on routing, schedule or contract details, NJDOT listed contacts Jim Barry and Elizabeth Rose Galamba, with Galamba reachable at 609-963-1975, and directs motorists to the state’s 511 traffic service for construction updates. After the April milestone, NJDOT plans to shift traffic onto the rebuilt westbound lane so crews can begin reconstruction of the eastbound side, with the full project to remain on track for the June 15, 2027 contractual completion date.
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