The Turnpike Authority in the US state of New Jersey has awarded two contracts totalling $148.8m for two sections of the New Jersey Turnpike widening project.

Union Paving and Construction of Mountainside received a $96m contract to build four miles of new outer roadways and ramps at an interchange in Burlington County.

The project, which also involves a U-turn, lights and 3,500ft of noise barriers and retaining walls, is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

The second contract, worth $52.7m, has been awarded to IEW Construction Group to build four miles of highway, two turnpike bridges and two overpasses to carry local roads.

Construction work on the projects is expected to begin in about six weeks, according to APP.com.

New Jersey’s entire turnpike widening project is scheduled to be completed by 2014.