Burns to Support Major Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Rail Modernization Project

Burns’ Railroad and Transit team is playing a key role in supporting VHB on the Skanska-led design-build team for the MBTA’s North Station Draw One Bridge modernization project, providing design services for critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life-safety, positive train control and signals, and communications and technology systems for one of the agency’s most significant commuter rail infrastructure upgrades. The project will replace aging drawbridge structures over the Charles River and expand rail capacity at one of Boston’s busiest transit hubs.

Originally built in the 1930s, the existing bridge carries the MBTA’s entire north-side commuter rail system into North Station, serving the Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport, and Fitchburg lines. The project will replace the current two movable spans and timber trestle approaches with new vertical lift bridge structures capable of carrying six tracks across the river.

The improvements are designed to enhance safety, reliability, resiliency, and operational efficiency while supporting current and future commuter rail service demands. The project also includes rehabilitation of North Station platforms, approximately 1.5 miles of track improvements on both sides of the bridge, and upgrades to signal and control systems.

This modernization effort will help bring the North Station Draw One Bridge to a state of good repair while strengthening a critical rail connection for thousands of daily riders across the MBTA commuter rail network.

The broader modernization effort also includes improvements to North Station platforms, track infrastructure on both sides of the bridge, and associated signal and control systems.