Skanska has landed two major contracts in the U.S., underscoring its continued presence in large-scale infrastructure and higher education construction. The Sweden-based contractor announced this week that it has been awarded a $303 million design-build contract from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to replace the aging Rourke Bridge in Lowell, Massachusetts. In a separate deal, Skanska also confirmed it signed a $240 million supplemental contract to advance work on Virginia Tech’s expanding College of Engineering facilities.

Major Bridge Replacement in Lowell

The Rourke Bridge project, which officially kicked off in May 2025, marks a long-anticipated investment in the transportation infrastructure of the Merrimack Valley region. The new bridge will carry Wood Street across the Merrimack River, replacing the current structure that has served as a temporary crossing since 1983.

According to project details, the new Rourke Bridge will be a seven-span structure, complete with upgraded intersections on both ends, enhanced pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, modern stormwater systems, utility relocations, landscaping, and new highway lighting. The existing bridge will remain open throughout construction and will be demolished once the new span is operational. Completion is expected by spring 2030.

“The reconstruction of the new Rourke Bridge will further support the planned growth in this region to accommodate future traffic demand and will improve the overall safety and operational efficiency at this crossing of the Merrimack River,” said Paul Pedini, senior vice president of operations at Skanska USA Civil.

Jacobs Engineering, based in Dallas, will serve as the lead architect on the project, a Skanska spokesperson confirmed.

The current bridge, built more than four decades ago, carries an average of 27,000 vehicles daily. Officials have cited its limited vehicle capacity and substandard pedestrian and cycling infrastructure as reasons for the overhaul. The new bridge is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and align with the city’s multimodal transportation goals.

Expanded Scope at Virginia Tech

In addition to the Massachusetts project, Skanska announced an expansion of its role in developing Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering campus in Blacksburg. The firm has signed a $240 million contract supplement to construct Mitchell Hall, a state-of-the-art, five-story facility that will span approximately 307,000 square feet upon completion.

The new engineering complex will replace the now-demolished Randolph Hall, a structure built in phases during the 1950s that no longer met the academic and research needs of the university. Demolition of Randolph Hall began in the spring of 2024, and Skanska is now proceeding with renovations to the existing Hancock Hall to integrate it with Mitchell Hall.

When completed, Mitchell Hall will house five key departments: aerospace and ocean engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and engineering education. The project is expected to be completed by 2028.

The new facility is designed to support cutting-edge research, collaborative learning environments, and future workforce development, helping Virginia Tech remain a top-tier engineering institution.

Both projects align with Skanska’s strategic focus on transformative infrastructure and education sector work in North America. The firm continues to grow its U.S. footprint with high-impact public and institutional contracts.

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.