Construction Begins on Boston North Station Railway Bridge Replacement Project in the United States, with a Contract Value of US$1.06 Billion

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Massachusetts has officially launched the Draw One railway bridge replacement and supporting track and signal upgrade project at Boston North Station. The project is being implemented by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), with the construction contract awarded to Skanska at a contract value of US$1.06 billion, and VHB serving as the design partner. The project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2032.

The existing Draw One Bridge was built in 1931 and consists of two parallel bascule spans carrying a total of 4 railway tracks. It is the main route for MBTA commuter rail north-side lines and Amtrak Downeaster trains entering Boston North Station. The replacement project will demolish the existing bridge and build a new vertical lift bridge, increasing the number of railway tracks crossing the Charles River from 4 to 6. Inside North Station, the new Tracks 11 and 12 will also be connected, increasing the station's total number of tracks from 10 to 12.

The contract scope of work includes more than just the main bridge. Skanska will also replace the north and south approach spans and collision protection facilities, build the new Tower A control facility, and carry out upgrades to track, signal, and Positive Train Control (PTC) systems over approximately 1.5 miles north of North Station; the project also includes the construction of a new Platform F extension so that the new Tracks 11 and 12 can connect to the existing railway network.

During construction, the project must maintain continuous operation of MBTA commuter rail and Amtrak trains. Skanska's plan will organize bridge demolition, new bridge installation, and track switching through phased construction and technical solutions that reduce work over water. MBTA has compressed the originally estimated construction period of about 8 years to about 6.5 years, and the current target remains completion in the fall of 2032.

The project has received US$472.3 million in funding support from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program. This funding was approved in 2024 and was the largest single federal infrastructure grant MBTA had received at that time. The project is expected to generate approximately 15,600 direct and indirect jobs during the construction period.