Colts Neck Contractor Cited for Compliance Violation at Middlesex County Fire Academy Project

Lucas Construction Group issued stop-work order for failure to register as public works contractor during Sayreville parking lot expansion

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has issued a stop-work order to Lucas Construction Group Inc., a Colts Neck-based subcontractor, for failing to comply with state public works registration requirements. The order, issued on May 20, 2025, affects ongoing work at the Middlesex County Fire Academy in Sayreville, where the company was performing a parking lot expansion.

Lucas Construction Group was hired for the public works project by Hall Construction Co. Inc. of Wall, N.J., the primary contractor. According to NJDOL’s Division of Wage and Hour Compliance, the cited violation is failure to register as a public works contractor, a requirement for all firms performing construction on public projects in New Jersey. Three workers were directly affected by the stop-work action.

The order is part of NJDOL’s broader oversight authority, expanded in July 2019, which enables the department to halt operations where labor laws or worker protections are violated. This enforcement marks the 186th stop-work order issued under the expanded law.

Employers who receive a stop-work order are prohibited from continuing any work at the cited location until the violation is resolved. NJDOL may impose civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day for continued operations in defiance of the order. Employers may appeal the order, with the agency required to schedule a hearing within seven days.

In conjunction with the action, NJDOL is reminding local governments and public agencies of their responsibilities under the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act, including the obligation to verify that all hired contractors are listed in the state’s Public Works Contractor Registration database. Contractors on the list are also required to participate in Registered Apprenticeship programs, supporting workforce development in New Jersey’s construction sector.

The searchable list of registered contractors, which includes business names, addresses, and registration details, is maintained by NJDOL and is available to help agencies avoid project delays and added taxpayer costs.

For further guidance on labor laws, compliance requirements, and worker protections in New Jersey, visit myworkrights.nj.gov.