AASHTO Journal - State DOTs Move Forward on Major Bridge Projects

Several state departments of transportation are forging ahead on major bridge projects across the country; projects aimed at improving safety and reducing traffic congestion while improving travel efficiency.

[Above photo by the ORX I-69 Project]

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation recently broke ground on the $303 million Lowell Rourke Bridge project in Lowell, MA, that will replace the existing Rourke Bridge with a new structure that meets modern design and safety standards, while improving mobility for all users.

This Design-Build project, which combines final design and construction into a single phase, is being built by Skanska USA and Jacobs Solutions Inc.

The new structure will include two travel lanes in each direction with shoulders, shoulders, sidewalks, and shared use paths on either side of the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. Concurrently, intersections at either end of the bridge will be reconstructed, as well as portions of Wood Street, Pawtucket Boulevard, and Old Ferry Road.

MassDOT expects the new bridge to open to traffic in 2029, with final project completion in 2030.

“The Rourke Bridge is more than just a way to cross the Merrimack [River]; it’s a lifeline for Lowell and the surrounding region,” explained Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MassDOT’s secretary and CEO, in a statement.

“Breaking ground on this project marks a major step toward a safer, stronger, and more connected future,” she said. “With new lanes, sidewalks, and shared-use paths, the bridge will serve drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike, while modernized intersections will keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.”

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority or KPTIA has given the green light for a new I-69 bridge project that will connect Henderson, KY, and Evansville, IN; authorizing a $933 million price tag for the Section 2 financial plan for the I-69 Ohio River Crossing and approved a resolution to enter into a Bi-State Development Agreement between Kentucky and Indiana for future construction.

The Bi-State Development Agreement governs the joint work of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, KPTIA, the Indiana Department of Transportation, and the Indiana Finance Authority to jointly undertake public infrastructure improvements to connect Henderson and Evansville; including the construction of a new four-lane bridge to carry I-69 traffic across the Ohio River. Construction is already underway on the new bridge, which should be completed in late 2026.

“We are creating the path to construction,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray in a statement. “This project has been decades in the making, and Kentucky is proud to take the lead on developing and constructing this transformational project. Together with our partners in Indiana, we will deliver a project that will change commutes for residents and transform the entire region. Connectivity leads to opportunities.”

Concurrently, the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Arkansas Department of Transportation have settled on an official name for the new $1 billion I-55 bridge they are building that will span the Mississippi River between Memphis, TN, and West Memphis, AR: Kings’ Crossing, in honor of the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., B.B. King, and Elvis Presley.

The environmental process is wrapping up on the I-55 Bridge Replacement project, the two agencies said, with the design process underway, right-of-way coordination slated to start later this year, and physical construction estimated to start in fiscal year 2026.

A vital link for national commerce, the new I-55 bridge will add roadway capacity, improve safety standards, ensure route resiliency, and maintain optimal operational conditions. This larger structure replacing the existing bridge, which has served travelers for 75 years since its construction, will also meet modern seismic codes, as it sits on the New Madrid fault line.

“Kings’ Crossing is more than just a piece of infrastructure; it is a symbol of our collective history, heritage, and the enduring spirit of unity that defines this region,” noted Will Reid, Tennessee DOT commissioner, in a statement. “Naming this bridge in honor of these gentlemen pays tribute to their extraordinary legacies – individuals who transcended barriers, fostered cultural exchange, and used their talents to build bridges between people.”

“It’s only fitting to name this vital crossing after three historic figures from this region,” added Jared Wiley, Arkansas DOT director. “We’re grateful for the partnership and collaboration with Tennessee DOT on this project. It truly is the result of a regional effort that will benefit industry across this national corridor and the thousands of individuals who depend on this connection each day.”