Construction Continued on Lowell Rourke Bridge Project

Work remains underway to replace the aging Merrimack River bridge with a modern four-lane span.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Construction

A massive steel bridge pier stands in the center of the Merrimack River with distant construction barges in the background. — Construction continues on the $303 million Rourke Bridge replacement in Lowell, where crews are currently installing steel bedrock casings in the Merrimack River. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Following a contract award in May 2025, crews began building a $303 million replacement for the Rourke Bridge in Lowell. The existing 1,250-foot structure, which opened in 1985, currently serves approximately 27,000 vehicles daily.

Why it matters

The project serves to replace an aging temporary bridge structure that has spanned the Merrimack River for decades. The new design aims to improve local transit by incorporating four lanes alongside bicycle and pedestrian access.

The $303 million project includes a $30 million contingency fee to manage potential expenses. Currently, four cranes are active on the site, where crews are constructing pier foundations using 5-foot-diameter drilled shafts.

The players

Skanska USA

This global construction and development company specializes in large-scale infrastructure projects.

Jacobs Engineering

This firm provides technical, professional, and construction services for major public infrastructure developments.

The details

Construction teams utilize tugboats and watercraft to ferry equipment to mid-river pier structures while installing steel casings to bedrock. Five of the six cofferdams are already completed or under active construction as part of the four-year development plan.

1985: The existing bridge opened to traffic.
May 2025: Skanska USA and Jacobs Engineering received the project contract.
August 2025: Construction on the replacement project officially began.
September 22, 2026: The bridge will close overnight for lane striping.
November 2026: Pile driving for the north side abutment foundation is expected to begin.

Market Landscape

The replacement project represents a significant shift from temporary infrastructure to permanent, multi-modal transit solutions in Lowell. This development aligns with broader trends of upgrading aging regional bridge networks to meet contemporary safety and capacity standards.

Commuters should prepare for an overnight closure on September 22, 2026, required for lane striping on the existing bridge. The long-term project aims to improve daily travel between Pawtucket Boulevard and Middlesex Street by adding pedestrian and bike access.

The takeaway

The multi-year effort will eventually result in the removal of the old span, which carries over 27,000 vehicles daily. Residents should track construction updates to anticipate future traffic patterns as the project approaches its four-year completion estimate.