News Summary
Skanska has been awarded a $303 million contract by MassDOT to rebuild the Rourke Bridge in Lowell, MA. Scheduled to start in May 2025, the project aims to improve traffic flow, safety, and pedestrian access. The new seven-span bridge will address the existing structure’s limitations, which was built in 1983 and does not meet modern standards. In addition, Skanska is undertaking a $240 million project at Virginia Tech. These initiatives reflect a broader investment in infrastructure upgrades to enhance regional connectivity and safety.
Lowell, Massachusetts – Skanska has been awarded a significant $303 million design-build contract by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) for the reconstruction of the Rourke Bridge. This vital infrastructure project will facilitate the passage of Wood Street over the Merrimack River in Lowell.
Construction work for the new bridge is scheduled to commence in May 2025 and is expected to be completed by spring 2030. The project is designed to address the current bridge’s limitations, which was originally built in 1983 as a temporary structure but now carries an average of 27,000 vehicles each day. Both the vehicle capacity and the facilities for bicycles and pedestrians on the existing bridge do not meet modern standards, prompting the need for an upgrade.
The planned new bridge will be a seven-span structure that significantly enhances safety and operational efficiency. Project details include extensive improvements such as the reconstruction of intersections at both ends of the new bridge, the incorporation of bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, stormwater infrastructure enhancements, installation of highway lighting, landscaping, and necessary utility relocations. The existing Rourke Bridge will remain operational until the new bridge is finished, after which it will be demolished.
Paul Pedini, Senior Vice President of Operations at Skanska USA Civil, emphasized that this new bridge will help support regional growth and traffic demand in the area.
In addition to the Rourke Bridge project, Skanska has also announced a supplemental contract worth $240 million with Virginia Tech for a new College of Engineering building. This renovation project will include the use of existing Hancock Hall, alongside the construction of a new five-story building, approximately 307,000 square feet in size, named Mitchell Hall. Work at Virginia Tech commenced in spring 2024 with the demolition of Randolph Hall, and completion of this project is targeted for 2028.
The Rourke Bridge project is part of a larger trend in Massachusetts to invest in infrastructure improvements to meet growing demands and standards. This investment not only aims to improve vehicular traffic flow but also to create safer passageways for non-motorized users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, thereby promoting sustainable transportation options. The enhancements to the bridge will likely contribute to reduced congestion and improved connectivity in the region.
The need for modernized infrastructure is evident across the country, and projects like these illustrate a commitment to enhancing public safety and efficiency. As communities continue to grow, the focus will need to remain on adaptive strategies to accommodate changing demographics and transportation needs.
Ultimately, with the Rourke Bridge initiative set to break ground in two years, residents and commuters can look forward to a modern bridge structure that will enhance travel in and around Lowell while ensuring the safety and comfort of all users.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Global Highways: $303 Million Lowell Bridge Replacement
- Cision: Skanska Rebuilds the Rourke Bridge in Lowell
- Lowell Sun: Skanska Determined to Have Best Value Bid for Rourke Bridge Project
- Construction Dive: Skanska’s Massachusetts Bridge Project
- Construction Equipment Guide: Skanska Awarded $303M Contract for Rourke Bridge
- Wikipedia: Infrastructure
- Google Search: Lowell Bridge Replacement 2025
- Google Scholar: Bridge Infrastructure Projects
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bridge Engineering
- Google News: Rourke Bridge Project
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