STV Advances $1.286B MBTA Bridge Replacement Into Construction

A $1.286 billion rail infrastructure program in Boston has moved into construction following a September groundbreaking, setting in motion the replacement of a 1931 movable bridge that carries passenger rail traffic into North Station. STV has supported the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority on the project since 2019 and is continuing design review and other services during construction.

Highlights

• The MBTA’s North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement Project has entered construction following a September groundbreaking.
• The $1.286 billion program will replace the existing four-track crossing with two new three-track movable bridges.
• The project includes about 500 feet of rail approach trestle replacement, 10 miles of new track and 80 new switches.
• North Station will expand from 10 tracks and five platforms to 12 tracks and six platforms.
• Construction is planned to maintain four operational tracks throughout the work, with completion anticipated in 2032.

Six-Track Bridge Replaces Aging Rail Crossing

The existing Draw One Bridge consists of two movable spans crossing the Charles River and serves the MBTA’s Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport and Fitchburg lines, along with Amtrak’s Downeaster service.

The replacement will provide two three-track bridges, increasing the crossing from four tracks to six. The broader program also includes upgrades to rail approaches, signals and communications, as well as replacement of Signal Tower A.

Approximately 10 miles of track and 80 switches will be installed as part of the work. North Station will gain two additional tracks and one additional platform, increasing its configuration to 12 tracks and six platforms.

Design-Build Delivery and Construction Phasing

The MBTA selected design-build as the project delivery method in 2025. STV supported development of procurement documents and the procurement process, including technical proposal reviews and evaluation of alternative technical concepts.

With the design-build team receiving notice to proceed, STV is providing design review and related support services.

A key construction requirement is maintaining rail service through the project. The construction sequence calls for a new three-track bridge to be built alongside the existing crossing. Trains can then shift onto the new structure while the original bridge is replaced with the second three-track span.

The approach is intended to keep four tracks operating during construction rather than closing the rail gateway into North Station.

Why It Matters

The project represents a major investment in the rail infrastructure serving Boston and communities across northern Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. For transportation owners and contractors, the program also demonstrates the coordination required when replacing a critical rail asset while maintaining active passenger service.

Federal funding is supporting the project, including a $472 million Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant awarded in 2024. The bridge replacement is expected to continue through 2032.

Source: STV.