Governor Healey Breaks Ground on North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement

Governor Healey Breaks Ground on North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement

Major MBTA investment will improve safety and reliability, expand rail capacity and create more than 15,000 jobs

Photo by Chutze Chou

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today joined Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng, labor leaders and local officials to break ground on the North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement Project, one of the most important rail infrastructure projects in Massachusetts history.

Photo by Chutze Chou

The project will replace nearly century-old rail infrastructure over the Charles River, increase the number of tracks and make critical track and signal improvements along the northside corridor. The project will more than 15,000 jobs and improve service for millions of MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak passengers each year.

Photo by Chutze Chou

“This is what it looks like when we invest in Massachusetts – thousands of good jobs, better and more reliable transportation, and infrastructure that will serve people and our economy for generations,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Draw One is nearly 100 years old and one of the most important connections in our rail system. We fought hard to win the federal funding, brought labor and industry together, and now we’re getting to work. This project is going to make a real difference for riders, workers and communities across Massachusetts.”

Photo by Chutze Chou

“Thousands of people rely on these tracks every day to get to work, school, appointments and home to their families,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This project is about making those trips safer and more reliable while creating thousands of good jobs and building the transportation system Massachusetts needs to compete and grow. It’s a major investment in the communities north of Boston and in the future of our state.”

Photo by Chutze Chou

“Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we are delivering long needed infrastructure projects that are essential to ensuring our transit system delivers for generations to come. The North Station Draw 1 Bridge project is another commitment fulfilled as we begin the $1.2 billion replacement of this nearly century old facility carrying all of our commuter rail lines to the north,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “As this Administration is focused on pursuing every federal dollar available, I’m proud that we were able to successfully secure federal dollars that made our state dollars that the Legislature continues to support go further.  This project is just another step toward Regional Rail and offering the public more reliable and frequent service.  By expediting the delivery of this design-build contract, we are creating good paying and skilled labor jobs during construction. We are also facilitating long term economic growth, access to jobs, and housing for the communities and the public with improved service along these commuter rail lines.  Even though this is just the start of work, I’m proud of the workforce both at the T and in our industry for serving the public and demonstrating our ability to deliver major infrastructure projects that we all can be proud of.” 

The North Station Draw One Bridge carries MBTA Commuter Rail service on the Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport and Fitchburg lines, as well as Amtrak Downeaster trains. More than 11 million passengers travel across the bridge each year.

“The North Station Draw One Bridge serves as a vital artery for Commuter Rail riders from across the North Shore, and its replacement will keep riders safe and service running efficiently,” said Senator Brendan Crighton. “Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for your leadership on this essential infrastructure project that will continue to make rail transit a strong and reliable option for riders throughout the Commonwealth.”

“The North Station Draw One Bridge is a critical piece of our region’s transportation infrastructure, and today’s groundbreaking marks an important investment in the safety, reliability, and future of our public transit system,” said Senator Lydia Edwards, State Senator for the Third Suffolk District. “This project will improve service for thousands of Commuter Rail riders while strengthening connections throughout Greater Boston and beyond. I am deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Eng and the MBTA, our federal, state, and local partners, labor partners, advocates, and everyone whose collaboration and commitment helped make this project possible.” 

“Replacing the North Station Draw One Bridge is a critical investment in the future of our transportation network,” said Representative James Arciero. “This project will improve reliability, increase rail capacity, and strengthen connections for commuters and passengers traveling throughout Greater Boston and across Northern New England. I’m proud to see this project move forward and look forward to the lasting benefits it will provide to riders and our Commonwealth.”

Built in 1931, the existing bridge carries four tracks across the Charles River. The replacement project will construct new vertical lift bridge structures capable of carrying six tracks. At North Station, two additional station tracks will be connected to the rail network, increasing the total number of tracks from 10 to 12 and providing additional capacity for future service.

The project will also replace existing bridge approaches, build a new control and maintenance facility and make approximately 1.5 miles of track and signal improvements north of the bridge. The MBTA has developed construction strategies to reduce the project timeline from an originally estimated eight years to approximately six and a half years, with completion expected in fall 2032.

Earlier this year, Governor Healey announced that the project will be delivered under a Project Labor Agreement with the Greater Boston Building Trades. The agreement establishes consistent wages, safety standards and working conditions, supports workforce stability and is designed to help ensure the highly complex project is delivered safely and efficiently. The project is expected to create approximately 15,600 jobs.

In September 2024, the MBTA secured $472.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Infrastructure Project Assistance, or MEGA, program to support the project. At the time, it was the largest federal grant award in MBTA history.

Since taking office, Governor Healey has made historic investments to improve transportation across Massachusetts and deliver safer, more reliable service for riders and drivers. The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched South Coast Rail, is advancing West-East Rail, secured more than $1 billion in federal funding to replace the Cape Cod Bridges and has won hundreds of millions of dollars for major MBTA projects, including the North Station Draw One Bridge. The administration is also investing in roads and bridges across the state, bringing the MBTA into a state of good repair and making transit more affordable for riders. Together, these investments are creating good jobs, strengthening communities and building the transportation system Massachusetts needs to compete and grow.