Urban is pleased to announce that the LED sign lighting replacement project on the Trenton Makes Bridge was recognized with the Best Electrical Contractor Project Award by the Construction Excellence Awards Program. The program, organized by the General Building Contractors Association, is the premier construction awards program, recognizing excellence in construction and safety.

“We are proud to share the recognition for this work with Carr & Duff, Dewberry, the Lighting Practice, and of course, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission,” said Urban Project Manager Philip Petrone, PE. “It was important to improve this iconic sign, which will now allow for a more dependable light source, be energy efficient, and less costly in the long run for maintenance and upgrades.”

The current Trenton Makes Bridge, more formally named the Lower Trenton Toll Supported Bridge, has spanned the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania since 1929 and held the iconic message “TRENTON MAKES THE WORLD TAKES” in bright red neon since 1935. With the replacement of its neon tubing for LED elements, the historic sign received a major upgrade and allows the color of the letters to be changed from red to any other color of the spectrum. This will provide an opportunity to sync the color of the iconic message with the colors of holidays and local or national events.

Urban provided construction management and inspection services for the overhaul of the sign. The firm’s responsibilities included the oversight of the construction management and inspection staff who were responsible for monitoring the project schedule and documenting progress; chairing progress meetings and preparing meeting minutes; making recommendations for problem resolution; and tracking submittals and correspondence.

The Best Electrical Contractor Project Award recognizes an electrical contractor who has done an outstanding job in the workplace. The award seeks to honor an electrical contractor who has overcome a unique challenge, tackled a difficult project, taken great care in detail, or ensured the success of a project. The Excellence Awards Program is dedicated to creating greater awareness throughout the region of the quality workmanship produced by GBCA member companies. Carr and Duff served as the contractor for the project, while Dewberry and the Lighting Practice served as architects. The bridge is owned and operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.