TOMS RIVER, NJ – Ocean County’s long-planned Justice Complex Annex project continues to grow in cost as commissioners approved another increase tied to ongoing construction challenges.
The latest adjustment, Change Order No. 11, adds $253,258.49 to the contract with Ernest Bock & Sons, the project’s lead contractor.
The addition raises total spending on the new four-story courthouse expansion, which began construction in early 2024, and is projected for completion in 2026.
Originally estimated below current levels, the project’s price now approaches $78 million, reflecting unanticipated expenses such as soil stabilization and utility relocation.
Expansion aims to meet county’s growth and court demands
The annex is designed to add between 125,000 and 155,000 square feet of new space to the Ocean County Justice Complex. The facility will include additional courtrooms, secure offices for the Sheriff’s Department, and improved public access while linking directly to the existing courthouse, jail, and parking garage.
County officials say the expansion will accommodate the region’s population growth and the state judiciary’s increasing workload in Ocean County.
Security and efficiency at the center of project goals
Officials emphasize that the annex will consolidate various legal and administrative offices into a single secure location, reducing the need for leased properties and improving safety for staff and visitors. The complex’s design aims to streamline movement between courtrooms, detention facilities, and administrative offices.
Rising construction costs continue to test budget
The Board of Commissioners previously cited inflation and construction complexities as factors driving up costs beyond original projections. Change orders have been required to address infrastructure conditions discovered after work began, including underground utilities and site preparation issues.
Despite the cost increases, county leaders have reiterated their commitment to completing the project on schedule, calling it essential to modernizing the justice system’s operations.