State Route 18

This multi-faceted iconic project constructed by Conti was delivered to the community on time and on budget.

Constant congestion on major traffic routes threatens economic vitality. This was the problem the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) faced in New Brunswick. NJDOT launched a major project with the goal of improving accessibility and aesthetics through the route’s busiest section: the two-mile-long corridor through New Brunswick. This was the largest project NJDOT had ever undertaken.

Conti completed all operations quickly and affordably, garnering rave reviews from NJDOT and other stakeholders. The team constructed four vehicular bridges and four pedestrian bridges, as well as increasing the carrying capacity of the existing four-lane highway to eight lanes. Conti installed eight 66-foot, 33-ton span barrels in just two days, thanks to an innovative installation method using hydraulic structures which saved time on the project. Additionally, the team installed seven cast-in-place retaining walls.

The project required 186,000 tons of asphalt, 50,000 cubic yards of recycled concrete aggregate, 39,000 cubic yards of granular base and 124 linear feet of curb. The team encountered delays due to unforeseen utilities but quickly responded by developing a value engineering proposal for a major foundation change. Once approved by NJDOT and implemented by the project team, the new approach kept the project on schedule and budget.

Conti met NJDOT’s goals for improved highway operations, safety and aesthetics and received several awards for project excellence, including the 2010 Project of the Year from Engineering News-Record.

The project was completed on time, on budget and during the four years of construction, created 600 jobs.