The MBTA is replacing the North Station Draw One Bridge over the Charles River in a $1.286 billion project scheduled for completion in fall 2032. The agency's project page lists May 4, 2026, as the construction start, when it issued the notice to proceed.
The existing crossing has two movable spans carrying four tracks. Its replacement will carry six tracks, and the project includes a new station platform, a replacement control tower and track, signal and communications work.
The crossing serves the Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport and Fitchburg commuter rail lines. The additional tracks and platform are intended to increase arrival and departure capacity at North Station, the MBTA says.
Skanska announced a design-build contract worth about $1.06 billion in May. That construction contract is separate from the agency's total project budget. The contractor said maintaining commuter rail and Amtrak service during construction is part of the work.
The MBTA's construction notice described soil investigations in the river and on its north shore during August and September, with no train-service impacts expected for that phase. It does not establish the service changes that may be required during later construction.