New Jersey officials will spend more than $33 million on a design and construction contract for the new pedestrian bridge near MetLife Stadium in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a resolution adopted Thursday morning, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority agreed to award Creamer-Sanzari, a joint venture, $33,507,000 to construct a second pedestrian bridge immediately north of the existing pedestrian bridge between Meadowlands Parking Lot C and American Dream Pay Parking Lot A, Route 120 intersection at MetLife Sports Complex.
The decision was taken after officials determined that the existing pedestrian bridge was inadequate to accommodate the expected increase in pedestrian traffic during the tournament and that there was an “urgent and urgent need” to build a second pedestrian bridge to relieve pedestrian traffic and a cheaper one To create a pedestrian zone The traffic flow on the grounds of the sports complex in the run-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
What is in the contract?
The contract includes driven piles, structural steel, on-site utilities, electrical lighting and signage, on-site works and architectural features. All work must be planned, coordinated and carried out on a “compressed schedule” at the complex site, the resolution says.
The state's standard public bidding and bidding process was not used. The resolution cites an executive order signed by former Gov. Jon Corzine that allows exceptions in “cases of unforeseen life, safety or health emergencies in which public necessity requires the immediate purchase of services or products.”
The order states that an “emergency contract must be limited to the purchase of those services or products necessary to alleviate the emergency situation.”
It is unclear how a shortened time frame could lead to an emergency contracting process.
The agency last month allocated $10 million in American Rescue Plan funds for planning and work on the bridge. This is in addition to the $25 million grant the NJSEA is using for the project through the state Department of Transportation.
The agency hired professionals for the project at the time, including $700,000 for Gannett Fleming to provide architectural and engineering design consulting services, $425,000 for Langan Engineering & Environmental Services for engineering services, and $850,000 for Epic Management for On-call services.
Related:NJ Transit Awards Transitway Shuttle Route Contract for 2026 FIFA World Cup
New agency chairman
The agency also approved a resolution to promote Nicholas Mammano from chief of staff to president and CEO. He will succeed Paul Juliano.
Mammano will hold the post during the final term of the Murphy administration, at a time when the authority will be busy preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the stadium.
His contract is worth $280,000.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com