Cape May County Plans $350 Million Fixed-Span Bridge to Replace Middle Thorofare Drawbridge

CAPE MAY COUNTY — Cape May County officials are preparing the largest construction project in county history: replacing the Middle Thorofare drawbridge with a $350 million fixed-span bridge at the south end of Five Mile Beach. The new bridge will be constructed over the existing one to maintain traffic during construction and will provide 80 feet of clearance at mean low water with wider spacing between support uprights to accommodate commercial fishing vessels. The project also includes replacing two other bridges along the route to the Garden State Parkway and raising the roadway by about four feet to improve evacuation routes. The existing drawbridge, built in 1939, has experienced mechanical failures and closures, including one last summer that disrupted vehicle and maritime traffic. Officials plan to seek federal funding through grant programs such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The project area includes wetlands requiring mitigation, and plans call for traffic calming measures and a dedicated 10-foot lane for pedestrians and cyclists. Final design and permitting are expected to take about five years, with construction targeted to begin in 2030. The project is seen as vital for public safety, climate resilience, and supporting the county’s tourism and fishing industries.