BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has been awarded $472 million in federal funding for the replacement of the North Station Draw One Bridge, a project that will increase capacity and improve train speeds for Amtrak and MBTA commuter trains.
The funding announced Monday comes from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance, or Mega, program, and is the largest federal award received by the MBTA. It will replace a 1931 drawbridge spanning the Charles River carrying trains that serve an estimated 11.24 million passengers per year. Along with replacement and modernization of the bridge, the project will also include replacement of a control tower, extension of the bridge platform, station improvements, and other track, signal, communications, and infrastructure upgrades. More on the project is available here.
The Boston Globe reports that the current bridge has two four-track moveable spans, while the new bridge will have a third span with additional tracks. The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.2 billion; Streetsblog Mass reports some $343 million remains unfunded.
“I’m proud of the MBTA team that worked diligently to put this project in a strong position to win this highly competitive federal award,” MBTA CEO Phillip Eng said in a press release. “…Our Grants and North Station Drawbridge teams deserve all the credit for their exceptional work to secure this funding which allows us to ensure the efficient and reliable movement of all North Station train lines while greatly improving our ability to provide more frequent, regional rail-style service across the entire northside corridor to serve future generations to come.”
State Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt said the funding “will help build greater connectivity for rail operations, create a better traffic experience for users, and provide key upgrades that will benefit residents and visitors alike.”
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