LOWELL, MA — Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, Senator Ed Markey, Congresswoman Lori Trahan, and Lowell Mayor Daniel P. Rourke broke ground on the Rourke Bridge replacement project in Lowell, Massachusetts. This project will replace the existing Rourke Bridge with a new structure that meets modern design and safety standards, to improve mobility for all users.
“The Lowell Rourke Bridge Replacement Project will result in smoother, faster commutes and restore a critical link for the Greater Lowell community and economy,” Governor Maura Healey said. “Our administration is proud to support this project, and we are grateful for the strong leadership of Congresswoman Trahan and Senators Markey and Warren to secure this funding for our communities.”
“The Rourke Bridge is more than just a way to cross the Merrimack; it’s a lifeline for Lowell and the surrounding region,” Tibbits-Nutt said. “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. I’m deeply grateful to our municipal partners, legislative delegation, and project team for their collaboration in delivering an investment that will strengthen this connection and benefit the community for generations.”
The new Rourke Bridge will include two travel lanes in each direction with shoulders, sidewalks, and shared-use paths on either side of the bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. Intersections at either end of the bridge will be reconstructed, as well as portions of Wood Street, Pawtucket Boulevard, and Old Ferry Road. The project will also provide enhanced safety and traffic operations.
“The Rourke Bridge is a key crossing over the Merrimack River, and the design of the replacement bridge is a major victory for both safety and mobility in the city of Lowell," Gulliver said. “Once complete, the finished product will be a landmark structure that will meet the city’s dynamic transportation needs well into the future.”
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“The day for the Rourke Bridge groundbreaking ceremony has arrived, and Skanska Civil eagerly anticipates collaboration with MassDOT on another signature design-build bridge project in Massachusetts,” said Paul Pedini, Senior Vice President of Operations at Skanska USA Civil. “Skanska wishes to thank MassDOT for the opportunity to participate in this important project and will work diligently to complete the project safely, on time, and on budget.”
This design-build project, which combines final design and construction into a single phase, is being built by Skanska USA and Jacobs Solutions Inc., under a $303 million contract. Project construction started in the summer of 2025, with the new bridge anticipated to be open to traffic in 2029, and final project completion in 2030.
