AASHTO Journal - MassDOT Starts North Station Draw One Bridge Project

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation recently hosted a groundbreaking event for the North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement Project, which the agency highlighted as “one of the most important rail infrastructure projects” in the state’s history.

[Above photo by MassDOT]

The $1.2 billion project – which includes a $472.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Infrastructure Project Assistance, or MEGA, program secured in September 2024 – will replace nearly century-old rail infrastructure over the Charles River, increase the number of railroad tracks, and make critical track and signal improvements along the northside corridor.

The agency added that the North Station Draw One Bridge carries Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or MBTA commuter rail service on the Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport and Fitchburg lines, as well as Amtrak Downeaster trains. More than 11 million passengers travel across the bridge each year, MassDOT added.

“This project is just another step toward offering the public more reliable and frequent service,” said Phil Eng, interim MassDOT secretary and general manager of the MBTA, which is a division of MassDOT, in a statement. “By expediting the delivery of this design-build contract … we are also facilitating long term economic growth, access to jobs, and housing for the communities and the public with improved service along these commuter rail lines.”

Built in 1931, the existing North Station Draw One Bridge structure carries four tracks across the Charles River. The replacement project will construct new vertical lift bridge structures capable of carrying six tracks. At North Station, two additional station tracks will be connected to the rail network, increasing the total number of tracks from 10 to 12 and providing additional capacity for future service. The project will also replace existing bridge approaches, build a new control and maintenance facility and make approximately 1.5 miles of track and signal improvements north of the bridge.

MassDOT added that the MBTA has developed construction strategies to reduce the project timeline from an originally estimated eight years to approximately six and a half years, with completion expected in fall 2032.