NJDOT Advertises Bids for
Gateway Project in Camden County
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced it is soliciting bids for roadway work on the Gateway project in Camden County, a project that will rehabilitate and transform Admiral Wilson Boulevard (Route 30) in Camden and Pennsauken into one of New Jersey’s most attractive gateways.
Transportation Commissioner James Weinstein said he expects sealed bids to come back to the department within a month. A contract award to the lowest qualified bidder will follow shortly thereafter and work will begin later this summer. Construction is expected to be finished by spring 2000.
"This revitalization project will beautify a neighborhood, create jobs and make transportation safer on our roads," Governor Christie Whitman said. "The Admiral Wilson Boulevard will be transformed into a source of pride to the citizens of Camden and all of New Jersey because it is often a travelers first impression of our Garden State."
Work for this phase of the project, with an estimated cost of $12-$15 million, includes:
- Resurfacing the roadway.
- Constructing new curbs and sidewalks.
- Painting overhead bridges and barrier curb with anti-graffiti coating.
- Upgrading existing roadway lighting and adding new fixtures as needed.
- Replacing the fence on top of the center barrier with new non-climbable fence.
- Enclosing the existing pedestrian bridge with new full height, wrap-over fencing.
- Landscaping the corridor.
- Removing weeds, plant overgrowth, litter and garbage piles.
--Weinstein said this work represents the first of the Gateway project’s three phases, which also include open space preservation and urban redevelopment. The second and third phases include acquisition of properties along with south side of the road to create a park-like setting along the Cooper River, and clearing the abandoned and little used buildings along the north side of the road to stimulate economic development.
In March, Governor Christie Whitman announced that the Gateway project will consist of a multi-agency effort involving the NJDOT, Delaware River Port Authority, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. The project also has support from Assembly Speaker Jack Collins, Camden County Freeholder Director Jeff Nash and the board of freeholders, local government and the private sector.
"County and city officials and regional businesses have for some time been working on a design concept to restore the Admiral Wilson Boulevard to its origins as a beautiful tree-lined thoroughfare. A rejuvenated highway corridor would welcome travelers to New Jersey in a way that promotes all of our interests, attracts business and improves the quality of life for the community," Weinstein said.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation has pledged up to $15 million to fund roadway improvements while the DRPA will fund $30 million for property acquisition, demolition and creation of the riverside park. Additional sources of funding to complete the $88 million project are being developed as the project progresses.
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