Brady PieperThe Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is celebrating a nearly half a billion-dollar award from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to replace the North Station Draw One Bridge in Boston.
The DOT is awarding MBTA with a $472 million grant from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) Program to replace the nearly 100-year-old bridge transporting commuter rail lines. The North Station Renovation and Draw One Bridge Replacement project, holding an estimated $1.2 billion budget, will replace and modernize the existing drawbridge structure, enhance track and signal systems and improve station facilities.
RELATED: 100-year-old historic Pennsylvania bridge to undergo $77 million renovation, expansion
The Draw One Bridge, also known as the Charles River Bridge, carries rail traffic over the Charles River, connecting the cities of Boston and Cambridge. The current iteration of the bridge, opened in 1931, operates as a single-leaf, through-truss, rolling bascule structure that utilizes a counterweight to engage the drawbridge feature, which allows for seabound vessels to travel underneath.
Today, the MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak lines that pass over the bridge, including the Haverhill, Newburyport/Rockport, Lowell and Fitchburg lines, transport over 11 million passengers annually.
Using this federal funding, the MBTA plans to replace Draw One Bridge’s current four-track, two-span movable drawbridge with a six-track, three-span drawbridge to improve commuter rail traffic and the overall commuter experience. The project also proposes the removal of the original Draw One Bridge Control Tower A and anticipates developing a new tower as a replacement.
Other program features to be funded by this round of MEGA funding include: Track 11 and 12 connections to the existing rail network, extension of the bridge’s platform, existing drawbridge modernization and upgrades to track, signal, communications and infrastructure.
By the end of the project’s construction, riders can expect a new station platform with two new station tracks, improved on-time performance into and out of the North Station Terminal, four to six additional river-crossing bridge tracks and enhanced safety, reliability and overall customer satisfaction.
The bridge replacement is a critical component of the region’s infrastructure and economy, providing vital connectivity between Boston and its northern suburbs. As such, the project is expected to not only improve the commuter experience but also contribute to broader economic opportunities within the Commonwealth.
The near half billion-dollar award represents one of the largest investments the MEGA program has committed to date. The program, established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, is designed to fund large or complex projects that are difficult to fund through traditional methods.
With $5 billion allocated over five years from 2021, recent MEGA grants have targeted various major transportation initiatives across the country, including bridges, highways, airports and railroads.
This year has been a successful one of federal funding for Massachusetts as it pursues infrastructure projects. Specifically, MBTA is celebrating securing every single grant program award it has applied to since the beginning of the year.
As Massachusetts moves forward with the North Station Draw One Bridge replacement, officials are optimistic that this project will set a precedent for future infrastructure investments, further solidifying the state’s dedication to improving public transit and fostering economic growth.
Photo courtesy Michael Hicks
