The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Massachusetts DOT) has announced it has begun the $303m (c. £224m) Lowell Rourke Bridge project in Lowell, MA.
The project will replace the existing Rourke Bridge with a new structure that meets modern design and safety standards, while improving mobility for all users, Massachusetts DOT reported.
The new structure will include two travel lanes in each direction with shoulders, shoulders, sidewalks, and shared use paths on either side of the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.
Concurrently, intersections at either end of the bridge will be reconstructed, as well as portions of Wood Street, Pawtucket Boulevard, and Old Ferry Road.
Massachusetts DOT expects the new bridge to open to traffic in 2029, with final project completion in 2030.
Massachusetts DOT’s secretary and CEO, Monica Tibbits-Nutt, said: “The Rourke Bridge is more than just a way to cross the Merrimack River; it’s a lifeline for Lowell and the surrounding region.
“Breaking ground on this project marks a major step toward a safer, stronger, and more connected future.
“With new lanes, sidewalks, and shared-use paths, the bridge will serve drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike, while modernized intersections will keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.”
