The Massachusetts Department of Transportation's (MassDOT) $303 million design-build project to replace the temporary Rourke Bridge over the Merrimack River in the city of Lowell is under way. The project was awarded to Skanska USA Civil in May 2025 through MassDOT's Design-Build Program.
The new bridge will be 1,278 ft. long and 84 ft. wide, consisting of seven spans and carrying two travel lanes in each direction, with shoulders, bike paths and sidewalks. It will connect Middlesex Street to Pawtucket Boulevard, improve mobility for all users and meet current standards, including ADA accessibility.
MassDOT photo
The bridge is anticipated to open to traffic in 2029, with full project completion expected in 2030. Currently, vehicles cross the Merrimack River via a temporary two-lane bridge erected in 1983.
This ambitious project combines final design and construction into a single phase.
"The Rourke Bridge is a critical transportation link in Lowell," said John Goggin of MassDOT Communications. "The bridge carries about 27,000 vehicles per day. Its vehicle capacity is deficient, and its bicycle and pedestrian features do not meet current multimodal and ADA standards. It is nearing the end of its useful service life, and its supporting substructure is showing signs of deterioration."
Goggin noted that a Corridor Study and Feasibility Analysis conducted in 2013 examined replacement options and the suitability of the existing location. The study developed a series of recommendations to improve mobility for residents, businesses and visitors.
The new bridge will feature improved traffic operations, sidewalks, shared-use paths on both sides for pedestrians and cyclists, enhanced safety features, landscaping and hardscaping improvements and better connections between Middlesex Street and Pawtucket Boulevard. Intersections at either end of the bridge will be reconstructed, along with portions of Wood Street, Pawtucket Boulevard and Old Ferry Road.
Once traffic is shifted to the new bridge, the existing approximately 1,100-ft.-long temporary bridge will be demolished. The new bridge will be located west of the existing structure, with an alignment that angles diagonally across the river.
"The bridge will be built in stages while crossing the river, in ways that are environmentally sensitive and that maintain available rowing lanes," Goggin said.
Serious planning for the project began in 2019 with data collection, followed by conceptual design, preliminary engineering, environmental permitting, right-of-way acquisition, design-build procurement and issuance of a notice to proceed.
MassDOT photo
Prior to construction, MassDOT held a series of public meetings, which have continued during the construction phase. To date, traffic impacts — limited to temporary lane closures and detours — have been minimal.
Jacobs Engineering Group is Skanska's lead designer and is responsible for the bridge and roadway design.
"The new bridge is a technically complex structure engineered to meet modern design standards, including seismic and scour requirements, while complying with all applicable environmental regulations," said Rob Pine, vice president of operations of Skanska USA Civil. "These challenges are being addressed through comprehensive engineering analysis, close collaboration with MassDOT and careful coordination with environmental agencies. The selected bridge design is essentially the same as the one MassDOT vetted during preliminary design, with improvements implemented during design development."
The new bridge is expected to have a lifespan of 75 years.
While no new or unique construction materials are being used, Pine said the bridge will include aesthetic enhancements.
"The bridge will feature overlook areas with architectural trellises and benches, allowing the public to enjoy views of the Merrimack River and observe recreational activities and rowing events. It will also include aesthetic lighting on and below the bridge."
The structure will consist of seven spans, each with seven steel plate girders and a cast-in-place reinforced concrete deck. It will be supported on drilled shaft foundations with granite-faced, cast-in-place concrete piers.
According to MassDOT's January update, vegetation and brush clearing is under way on the south bank of the Merrimack River and along Wood Street Extension, followed by erosion control installation. Similar work, including tree removal, is occurring along the north bank near Pawtucket Boulevard to prepare bridge work zones. Excavation for test pits and drill test borings continues, along with mobilization of cranes and equipment and installation of a temporary construction access platform on the river's north side.
A November 2025 update noted that Skanska crews refreshed painted lane markings on the existing Rourke Bridge to improve visibility and safety (now complete), installed erosion control measures in advance of vegetation removal, and established a long-term construction staging area along the shoulder of eastbound Pawtucket Boulevard near the Lowell City Water utilities building.
Construction of a temporary trestle in the Merrimack River is expected to begin in the coming months.
MassDOT photo
"The trestle will serve as access for crews constructing the new Rourke Bridge," Goggin said.
Typical work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, although some night work will be required for select roadway and utility operations.
To date, Skanska has completed geotechnical borings on land and in the Merrimack River, installed erosion controls, established a work zone on Pawtucket Avenue and cleared the north abutment area. Over the next 12 months, work will focus on trestle construction, cofferdam installation, drilled shaft foundations and pier construction.
"There will be night work associated with some select roadway and utility work," Pine said, noting that operations will continue throughout the winter.
Investigative in-water soil borings were conducted during June, July and August using a barge-mounted drill rig, alongside on-street borings on Wood Street, Middlesex Street, Pawtucket Boulevard and Old Ferry Road. This work provided data on soil strength and composition to inform the final design.
Traffic signage was installed within the project limits in late August, followed by erosion control measures in September ahead of fall vegetation removal. Operations resumed Jan. 7, 2026, with additional clearing and erosion control installation on the south bank, followed by similar work on the north bank beginning Jan. 12, 2026.
For upcoming construction phases, Skanska has purchased two new Liebherr LR 1300 300-ton cranes and 100 Poseidon sectional barges. Mobilization of cranes and equipment began in January, along with installation of the temporary access platform.
"The first crane has been mobilized, and the remaining equipment will be brought in over the coming months," Pine said.
MassDOT photo
Construction remains in the early stages, with much of the initial work taking place on the river.
"Drilled shafts will be installed inside cofferdams from barges," Pine said. "Barges — including crane barges, a drill barge and multiple material barges — will be used extensively during construction."
The temporary bridge will be demolished once traffic is transferred to the new structure, while roadway work is expected to begin later in the project timeline.
Skanska's management team includes Project Manager Andrew Pramberger, Construction Manager Jamie Sparks and a large team of construction and engineering professionals. Staffing levels will increase significantly during peak construction, and substantial quantities of materials will be delivered to the site.
"The design is not complete yet, so final material quantities cannot be determined," Pine said.
Skanska emphasized its commitment to equipment maintenance throughout the project.
"Mechanics will be available as needed to maintain and repair equipment," Pine said. "Because the Merrimack River is freshwater, we don't anticipate additional wear related to the water environment. Purchasing new equipment also helps minimize maintenance needs on a long-term project." CEG
