A project labor agreement will be required on NJ’s $6.7B Newark Bay Bridge replacement.
According to ENR, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority is moving forward this summer with contractor pre-qualification for a $6.7-billion project labor agreement-backed replacement of the 70-year-old Newark Bay Bridge, with bid requests expected later in the year.
Related guide: Project labor agreements in New Jersey: the law and the 2026 change
The single four-lane cable-stayed replacement for the Vincent R. Casciano Memorial Bridge is part of the authority’s Newark Bay-Hudson County Extension Program, with traffic targeted to shift off the existing structure by 2031.
Early contracting is already underway. In March, the authority approved trestle construction contracts with PKF-Mark III ($74.1M) and George Harms Construction Co. ($38.3M), and awarded a $141.3-million construction management contract to the Newark Bay Corridor Joint Venture (Jacobs and STV Inc.).
The revised scope reflects a significant scaling back from the original $10.7-billion twin-span proposal under former Gov. Phil Murphy.
New Gov. Mikie Sherrill restructured the program following input from mayors, community leaders, and organized labor — limiting work to a single new bridge and safety-focused roadway improvements.
The authority confirmed it is committed to Sherrill’s directive to require a project labor agreement on the program, ensuring a skilled and diverse union workforce.
READ MORE: What is a Project Labor Agreement?
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