Rail Bridge Replacements

We’re replacing six bridges on various Commuter Rail lines as part of our work to modernize the system and make it safer for riders. These bridges were built in the early 1900s, and replacement is necessary to extend their service life and bring them into a state of good repair.
- Contract awarded: May 21, 2019
- Budget: $91 million (total cost for six bridge replacements, including others in Lawrence, Lynn, Melrose, Somerville, and Weston)
- Status: In design
Between 2020 and 2024, we'll replace the following bridges, with construction expected to start in this order:
- Bacon Street Bridge – Framingham/Worcester Line
- Intervale Road Bridge – Framingham/Worcester Line
- High Line Bridge – Lowell Line
- Parker Street Bridge – Haverhill Line
- Lynn Fells Parkway Bridge – Haverhill Line
- Commercial Street Bridge – Newburyport/Rockport Line
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.
Why These Bridges Are Part of the Same Project
We’re using a design-build contracting method for the six bridge replacements that are part of the MBTA Rail Bridge Replacement Project, which will:
- Reduce design and construction time
- Improve communication between the contractor and designer
- Provide a single point of responsibility for both the design and construction.
- Promote collaboration between engineers, the contractor, and MBTA staff
We do not expect Commuter Rail service to be affected on weekdays during construction.
There may be one or more weekend service shutdowns when we begin construction on each project. Shuttles may replace train service during this time.
To keep riders informed, we will:
- Make announcements about public meetings and service changes at stations along impacted lines
- Post information at stations and in rail cars
Some of this work will be noisy, and we will do our best to minimize noise disruptions for neighbors.
Once construction begins, neighbors can expect:
- Varying work hours
- Defined contractor staging areas
Bacon Street Bridge
Pictured above is the current Bacon Street bridge juxtaposed with a rendering of proposed changes. Use the slider to see more or less of each photo
Project timeline: Fall 2019 – Summer 2022
We're replacing the bridge that carries the Framingham/Worcester Line over Bacon Street in Wellesley between Natick Center and Wellesley Square near Morses Pond.
Construction on the Bacon St bridge began on March 26, 2021.
The bridge superstructure has been installed, and work on the roadway and sidewalk will be complete by summer 2022.
The steel bridge, which was built in 1911, is at the end of its useful life and will be replaced to meet the MBTA’s reliability and modernization needs. Project features include:
- Bridge replacement, with a projected service life of 75 years
- Preservation of existing stone abutments
- Three-track bridge design that could accommodate future construction of a third track
- Provide safer, more resilient, more reliable service on the Framingham/Worcester Line
- Bring bridge to a State of Good Repair
- Reduce future maintenance costs and service impacts
For inquiries and comments related to the Bacon Street Bridge Replacement, please send us an email at BaconStBridge@mbta.com or call our 24-hour hotline at 617-571-7878.
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Intervale Road Bridge
Pictured above is the current Intervale bridge juxtaposed with a rendering of proposed changes. Use the slider to see more or less of each photo
Project timeline: Fall 2019 – Summer 2022
We’re replacing the bridge that carries the Framingham/Worcester Line over Intervale Road in Weston between Wellesley Farms and Auburndale near the Leo J. Martin Memorial Golf Course.
Construction on the Intervale Rd bridge began on March 26, 2021.
The bridge superstructure has been installed, and remaining work will be complete by summer 2022.
The steel bridge, which was built in 1914, is at the end of its useful life and will be replaced to meet the MBTA’s reliability and modernization needs. Project features include:
- Bridge replacement, with a projected service life of 75 years
- Preservation of existing stone abutments
- Three-track bridge design that could accommodate future construction of a third track
- Provide safer, more resilient, more reliable service on the Framingham/Worcester Line
- Bring bridge to a State of Good Repair
- Reduce future maintenance costs and service impacts
For inquiries and comments related to the Intervale Road Bridge Replacement, please send us an email at IntervaleRdBridge@mbta.com or call our 24-hour hotline at 617-571-7878.
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High Line Bridge
Pictured above are renderings of the current High Line bridge juxtaposed with proposed changes. Use the slider to see more or less of each photo
Project timeline: Fall 2019 – Summer 2024
We’re replacing the bridge that carries the Lowell Line over an access road, High Line, and the railroad yard in Somerville between North Station and West Medford.
Major construction is ongoing.
The steel bridge, which was built in 1927, is nearing the end of its useful life and will be replaced to meet the MBTA’s reliability and modernization needs. The new bridge will have a projected service life of 75 years.
- Provide safer, more resilient, more reliable service on the Lowell Line
- Bring bridge to a State of Good Repair
- Reduce future maintenance costs and service impacts
For inquiries and comments related to the High Line Bridge Replacement, please send us an email at HighLineBridge@mbta.com or call our 24-hour hotline at 617-571-7878.
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Parker Street Bridge
Pictured above is the current Parker Street bridge juxtaposed with a rendering of proposed changes. Use the slider to see more or less of each photo
Project timeline: Fall 2019 – Summer 2022
We’re replacing the bridge that carries the Haverhill Line over Parker Street in Lawrence near Lawrence Station.
The bridge superstructure has been installed, and remaining work will be complete by summer 2022.
The steel bridge, which was built in 1930, is nearing the end of its useful life and will be replaced to meet the MBTA’s reliability and modernization needs. The new bridge will have a projected service life of 75 years.
- Provide safer, more resilient, more reliable service on the Haverhill Line
- Bring bridge to a State of Good Repair
- Reduce future maintenance costs and service impacts
For inquiries and comments related to the Parker Street Bridge Replacement, please send us an email at ParkerStBridge@mbta.com or call our 24-hour hotline at 617-571-7878.
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Lynn Fells Parkway Bridge
Pictured above is the current Lynn Fells Parkway bridge juxtaposed with a rendering of proposed changes. Use the slider to see more or less of each photo
Project timeline: Fall 2019 – Summer 2022
We’re replacing the bridge that carries the Haverhill Line over Lynn Fells Parkway in Melrose between Melrose Cedar Park and Melrose Highlands.
Construction on the Lynn Fells Parkway bridge began on March 15, 2021.
The bridge superstructure has been installed. Remaining work at this location, which includes work on the roadway and sidewalk, will be complete by summer 2022.
The steel bridge, which was built in 1929, is nearing the end of its useful life and will be replaced to meet the MBTA’s reliability and modernization needs. The new bridge will have a projected service life of 75 years.
- Provide safer, more resilient, more reliable service on the Haverhill Line
- Bring bridge to a State of Good Repair
- Reduce future maintenance costs and service impacts
For inquiries and comments related to the Lynn Fells Parkway Bridge Replacement, please send us an email at LynnFellsPkwyBridge@mbta.com or call our 24-hour hotline at 617-571-7878.
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Commercial Street Bridge
Pictured above is the current Commercial Street bridge juxtaposed with a rendering of proposed changes. Use the slider to see more or less of each photo
Project timeline: Spring 2022 – Fall 2022
We’re replacing the bridge that carries the Newburyport/Rockport Line over Commercial Street in Lynn between River Works and Lynn Station.
The steel bridge, which was built in 1913, is nearing the end of its useful life and will be replaced to meet the MBTA’s reliability and modernization needs. The new bridge will have a projected service life of 75 years.
- Provide safer, more resilient, more reliable service on the Newburyport/Rockport Line
- Bring bridge to a State of Good Repair
- Reduce future maintenance costs and service impacts
For inquiries and comments related to the Commercial Street Bridge Replacement, please send us an email at CommercialStBridge@mbta.com or call our 24-hour hotline at 617-571-7878.
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Past Events
Downloads
We invite you to review documents and downloads related to the Rail Bridge Replacements project.
Recent Updates
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.