Lechmere Viaduct Rehabilitation

an empty green line train crossing the lechmere viaduct, with some boston skyline visible in the background, road traffic in the foreground, and a pretty pink and purple sunrise backdrop — A test train crosses the restored Lechmere Viaduct (March 2022)

The Lechmere Viaduct carries Green Line trains from Lechmere across the Charles River into downtown Boston. Streetcars first crossed the bridge in June 1912.

Contract awarded: December 2019
Project completed: March 2022
Budget: $87.4 million
Status: Substantially complete

What We Accomplished

The bridge closed to support work on the Green Line Extension project in May 2020. Crews completed the following work during construction:

Reinforced all 12 spans with carbon fiber wrap to increase structural integrity
Renewed more than 3,500 feet of track and 70,000 feet of signals
Replaced the overhead catenary system that supplies power to the trains
Enhanced accessibility for riders at Science Park station

The completed project will extend service life, reduce maintenance costs, and allow the viaduct to handle heavier loads—while also preserving the aesthetics of the historical structure.

While construction on this project is substantially complete, crews will continue to update to Science Park Station and the façade. The bridge is safe, able to sustain heavy loads and ready for train travel across the river. Shuttles will continue to be in service for riders until the Green Line Extension Project is completed later this month.

Building a Better T

As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

Learn more

Why We Did This Work

These upgrades allow more trains to pass over the bridge, ultimately serving a completely new Lechmere Station and the six new stations constructed as part of the Green Line Extension.

Rider benefits

Extended service life and reduced maintenance costs without impacts to the historic structure
Increased capacity and improved frequency to accommodate future Green Line vehicles

Extended service life and reduced maintenance costs without impacts to the historic structure
Increased capacity and improved frequency to accommodate future Green Line vehicles