Skanska Lands $1.06 Billion Contract to Rebuild and Expand the North Station Draw Bridge

The North Station Draw Bridge upgrades are covered by a 1.06 billion USD design-build contract. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority awarded the work to Skanska. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

It includes replacement of the North Station Draw One Bridge. It also covers related rail infrastructure upgrades in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, Massachusetts.

North Station Draw Bridge upgrades and corridor works

As Railway Supply reported, the project will modernise a rail corridor used by more than 11 million passengers each year. Its central element is the replacement of the existing Draw One bascule bridges. Those bridges were built in the 1930s. New vertical lift spans will cross the Charles River. The bridge replacement forms part of a wider package. It also covers track, signal, control, and station-related works.

Skanska will carry out the work with VHB as its design partner. The engineering, planning, and design company is headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts.

Paul Pedini, senior vice president of Skanska USA Civil said:
We are proud to partner with the MBTA on this transformative infrastructure investment that will enhance reliability, and support the region’s growing transit needs. By leveraging innovative design and construction solutions, our team will deliver a future-ready rail network while maintaining uninterrupted service for the passengers who rely on it every day.

In addition, the contract covers upgrades to the approach trestles. It also includes construction of a new Tower A control facility. Separately, the project includes development of a new Platform F at North Station.

Track, signal, and control upgrades

Further works include track, signal, and Positive Train Control upgrades. These works are intended to improve safety and operational efficiency. The construction team also plans to use Alternative Technical Concepts to reduce in-water construction activity. The same approach is intended to simplify staging. It is also intended to keep rail and Amtrak services operating during the project.

Once completed, the corridor will expand from four tracks to six tracks across the river. The added capacity is expected to reduce congestion. It is also expected to improve service reliability. Meanwhile, phased construction scheduling is intended to minimise disruption.

Ricky Carey, design manager of VHB said:
The replacement of the Draw One bridges is one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the MBTA Commuter Rail system. Once complete, these new structures will deliver lasting benefits to one of the region’s busiest transportation corridors.

Construction is scheduled to begin this month. Completion is expected in fall 2032.

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