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City of Lowell Construction Projects
Table of Contents:
- Lowell Canal Bridges (TIGER) Project
- Hamilton Canal Innovation District (HCID) North Infrastructure Project ("Streets F and G")
- Lord Overpass
- Merrimack Riverwalk Phase II
- Concord River Greenway
- Newhall Street over Rivermeadow Brook
- Shared Streets Project
- National Grid Gas Main Replacement
- JFK Plaza Improvements
- Connector Trail
- Cawley Track Repairs
- Lowell High School Construction Project
- Other Miscellaneous Infrastructure Projects
- Lowell Justice Center
- VFW Bridge Replacement over the Beaver Brook (MADOT)
- Lowell Connector Bridge Deck Replacement over Industrial Avenue East
- Route 38 Improvements
- City-Wide Roadway and Sidewalk Improvement Projects
- Andover Street/River Road Reconstruction Project
- Beaver Street over Beaver Brook Bridge
- HCID Parking Garage
6/22/21: Informational Construction Projects Memo
Lowell Canal Bridges (TIGER) Project:
The project will rehabilitate and replace a network of critically important bridges over several canals in Lowell, in order to eliminate weight restrictions that currently interfere with transportation circulation and access in the downtown area. To learn more about the TIGER Bridge Project, click here.
- Pawtucket Street over Northern Canal – Phase 2 bridge deck to be poured this week (week of 6/21). Bridge completion is anticipated by early September 2021.
- Pawtucket Street over Pawtucket Canal – Bridge deck has been poured. Outbound traffic remains open and inbound traffic remains closed (and detoured) until bridge completion, which is anticipated to be early September 2021.
- Central Street over Pawtucket Canal – In February 2021, the City announced a resequencing plan of the Central Street Bridge construction to enable acceleration of construction by completing it in two phases instead of three phases. At that time of the resequencing implementation, traffic was reduced to one-way in a northbound direction and southbound traffic has been detoured and coordinated appropriately with emergency services. Upon beginning the construction and removing the decking material, additional deterioration of the bridge members was discovered. The original contracted construction included partial beam replacement which provided an extended bridge life of 10 to 20 years. Given the additional deterioration that was discovered, full beam replacement is recommended. Full beam replacement will provide an extended bridge life of approximately 40 to 50 years. The City, MassDOT, the contractor, and the design team are working through a bridge design to replace all bridge members. The design has been completed and is under peer review and review by the contractor. Tentatively, the Contractor anticipates remobilizing in July. The traffic management plan will remain in place at least through the summer and potentially further pending steel procurement and submittal reviews. A more detailed schedule will be provided as soon as information becomes available. Click HERE for more information.
- Merrimack Street over Merrimack Canal – Bridge work has been completed. Punchlist work remains to be completed.
- Merrimack Street over Western – Bridge work has been completed. Punchlist work remains to be completed.
Hamilton Canal Innovation District (HCID) North Infrastructure Project ("Streets F and G"):
This project will build two new streets and install utility infrastructure in the northern section of the HCID. The project includes major pedestrian and traffic improvements to the bridge at Dutton and Broadway, and construction of a new Signature Bridge over the Pawtucket Canal that will connect the north and south sides of the HCID. Newport Construction remobilized to the site this spring to complete minor punchlist items. All work, including minor lighting and railing changes to the signature bridge, will be completed in the coming weeks.
Note: Winn’s construction on Hamilton Canal Innovation District (HCID) parcels 8 & 9 requires that the bridge stay closed until this fall. Temporary pedestrian accommodations will be installed to help circulation in and through the HCID. The bridge will fully open at the earliest date for safe passage through Winn’s construction, which is scheduled for October 15. Click HERE for more information.
This transformative infrastructure project will remove the aging overpass bridges, connect Jackson Street to Thorndike Street, improve the intersection at Dutton/Thorndike/Fletcher/Jackson streets, and update traffic signals to effectively move travel into and out of the HCID and Downtown Lowell. The reconstruction of the Lord Overpass is now slightly ahead of the original schedule. At this time, the two existing bridges have been decommissioned and all surfaces have been constructed to final alignment. The next traffic pattern, which is stage 4 of 5, will be implemented in September. Phase 4 includes paving, sidewalk, and curbing installation, as well as traffic signal installation and other streetscape finishes. This next phase will reopen Middlesex Street. Phase 5 will include the bus lane construction. Construction is scheduled to be substantially complete in November 2022. Click here for more project information.
Merrimack Riverwalk Phase II:
This project will extend the Merrimack Riverwalk under the Bridge Street Bridge, behind Massachusetts Mills, and over the Concord River to a new terminus in front of Lowell Memorial Auditorium via a new pedestrian bridge. Substantial construction activity is now underway after a winter slowdown. Erection and installation of the new pedestrian bridge are scheduled for late July. Modest pedestrian and traffic adjustments will be needed to allow for truck delivery and crane assembly. DPD is working directly with LMA to ensure construction work does not impact planned events. The area of the project abutting the Boiler Building next to Mass Mills is currently on hold as netting is installed to protect the Riverwalk from falling debris. Project completion has been delayed and is now tentatively scheduled for the fall.
This project will connect two existing portions of the Concord River Greenway from the Jolene Dubner Park and over the Concord River to the Lawrence Street portion of the greenway. The contractor, MAS Building and Bridge, resumed work in the spring. The project experienced a slight delay due to bridge fabrication issues, but those have been resolved and work has resumed. Bridge installation is scheduled for July, traffic adjustment may be necessary on Lawrence Street during bridge delivery and crane assembly. The project, including bridge erection, and all landscaping will be complete in Fall 2021.
Newhall Street over Rivermeadow Brook:
Kodiak Corporation has completed the pouring of the bridge deck, installation of bridge railings and repair of the wing wall. Kodiak is currently working to install fencing along the bridge approaches. Work remaining includes: granite curbing installation, bridge approach sidewalks, deck waterproofing, sub-grade preparation, and paving. Project completion is estimated mid-July 2021.
Shared Streets Project:
On Pawtucket Boulevard, a road diet is in place to slow down speeding traffic and improve pedestrian safety along a heavily utilized green space. Feedback on this pilot, which will continue until the end of August, will inform long-term planning for the roadway and options to reduce speeding and increase convenient, safe, and pedestrian-friendly access to the river.
National Grid Gas Main Replacement:
National Grid continues to complete gas main replacement throughout the City. This work will continue into the end of 2021. National Grid recently completed gas main replacement on Agawam Street, Whipple Street, University Avenue, Methuen Street, Cedar Street, Keene Street, Chapel Street, Varney Street, Pine Street, Belmont Street, Marlborough Street, London Street and Blossom Street.
Current streets where gas main replacement is occurring includes:
- Coburn Street
- West Street
- Jewett Street
- Lincoln Parkway
- Sanders Ave
- Georgia Ave
- Bertram Street
- Boylston Street
- E. Merrimack Street
- Thorndike Street (As part of the Lord Overpass project)
JFK Plaza Improvements:
A minor project to improve safety and remove deferred maintenance will commence this summer. DPD, in coordination with DPW, is working on the upgrades and improvements to the John F Kennedy Civic Center, including the transformation of selected sets of stairs into planting areas. DPD coordinated with LPD and Cultural Affairs & Special Events on the specific areas to remain open and closed for increased safety, security, and usability.
This work will build off the successful green space additions along Arcand Drive and the plantings around the Rouses Memorial. Initial preparation work by DPW is expected to start in July to continue construction by a contractor during the fall of 2021. DPD is currently working on drafting the bidding documents for contractor selection. The project is a small piece of a larger investment in the plaza in fiscal year 2022.
Connector Trail:
This project will create a multi-use path that connects the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in the Cross Point towers area with the Target shopping plaza along Plain Street. The contractor, Belko Landscaping, will break ground before the end of June and the project will be complete in a before the end of the summer.
Cawley Track Repairs:
Cape and Island Corporation (CIC) will be performing the track resurfacing work. DPD, Parks, and LHA Athletics met with CIC and project designer Huntress Associates in May for a kick-off coordination meeting. Before CIC begins work DPW will remove large pine trees along the front edge of the stadium; that work will begin on 6/28. The needles and sap from the pine trees negatively impact the track surface and drainage and the decision was made to remove them before the new track is installed. Once trees are removed work on the track will begin on 7/12 and the track will be ready for use by mid-August.
Lowell High School Construction Project:
Phase 1 of the $343M project began fall of 2020 and will continue this summer with the construction of the new gymnasium. This phase is on schedule to be completed in the spring of 2022. Phase 2 will then begin with the demolition of the old gymnasium and construction of a new five story freshman academy, main entrance and cafeteria. The entire project, comprised of four phases is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2026.
Other Miscellaneous Infrastructure Projects:
In addition to the above mentioned projects, there are ongoing construction projects by municipal and private utility companies. Traffic management considerations for these smaller projects are evaluated in conjunction with the larger projects mentioned above.
State Construction Projects
Lowell Justice Center:
The facility under construction will house the Superior, District, Probate & Family, Juvenile and Housing Courts of Middlesex County. A Court Service Center and office space for both the District Attorney and Registry of Deeds will also be provided. Project website
State Transportation Projects
VFW Bridge Replacement over the Beaver Brook (MADOT):
This work includes full bridge replacement (both sub and super structure replacements). The contractor has completed Phase 1 of the bridge and is working on Phase 2, which includes reconstruction of the second half of the bridge. As part of Phase 2, the last of the abutment and approach slab will be poured in July and structure steel erection will follow. Drainage, roadway, and ground improvements will be completed by late summer/early fall. The existing lane shifts in place are anticipated to be put back in place by late Fall of 2021 which is also when substantial completion is anticipated. Punchlist work might extend into spring of 2022.
Lowell Connector Bridge Deck Replacement over Industrial Avenue East:
MADOT’s contractor, S&R Construction, began bridge rehabilitation work in January 2020. Work on the superstructure continues. The current traffic management plan includes two lanes and an exit ramp closed on the Lowell Connector. This phase is anticipated to be completed by the late July to early August. Phase 2, which will open the exit ramp, will begin in late summer and be at full beneficial use by December of 2021 with final paving and pavement markings to be complete in Spring of 2022.
MADOT’s contractor, J. Tropeano, is scheduled to complete this project by September 2021. Work remaining includes milling and paving, which is scheduled at nights in July. Some full depth pavement work will be completed at night on 6/23 and 6/24 (this week) on Andover Street approaching Nesmith. Paving areas are Rt. 38 from E. Merrimack Street to Clitheroe, Rt. 38 intersection of Rogers/Fairmount and Boylston, and Rt. 38 intersection of Douglas/Phoenix and Rogers. Upon completion of paving, line striping and new signage will be installed. Punchlist work remains to be completed this Summer/early Fall. Route 38 plan set.
City-Wide Roadway and Sidewalk Improvement Projects:
The City’s contractor, Allied Paving, is actively working on sidewalk construction on Stevens Street and Pine Street. Sidewalk installation on these streets are anticipated to be completed within then couple of weeks and paving milling and overlay will follow in July.
Allied Paving contract also includes the following streets:
- Dummer Street
- Middlesex Street
- Plain Street
- Suffolk Street
With the newly approved FY 22 funding, we are evaluating city street and sidewalk conditions and working on the next sidewalk and paving contracts. These contracts are anticipated to be awarded late summer/early fall. Multiple variables are considered when selecting these locations, including existing condition evaluation, proximity to other pending work, review of pending utility work, frequency of potholes or sidewalk patching temporary repairs, and review of CivicPlus and other databases with reported conditions.
Andover Street/River Road Reconstruction Project:
MADOT’s contractor, J. Tropeano., is currently working on the traffic signals at the intersection of Andover Street and River Road in Tewksbury. This work is anticipated to continue this summer along with other utility relocation work in Tewksbury and Lowell along Andover Street. Roadway reconstruction is anticipated to begin this summer/fall in Tewksbury heading towards Lowell. Roadway widening on Andover Street in Lowell is anticipated to begin in 2022 but potentially this fall pending utility relocation progress. The anticipated completion date of the overall project is September 2024.
Beaver Street over Beaver Brook Bridge:
Per MADOT’s recommendation, the City closed the bridge to vehicular traffic as a result of findings in a 2019 bridge inspection report. The bridge remains open to cyclist and pedestrian traffic. The design of the bridge rehabilitation has been completed. With the newly approved FY22 funding appropriation of $3 million, the City is preparing a bid package. Awarding of the contract is anticipated later this summer and construction is anticipated to begin late summer/early fall.
Click here to be directed to the MASSDOT website for information about the projects listed above.
Recently Completed Projects
HCID Parking Garage:
This project - completed on December 16, 2020 - constructed a 900 space parking garage to support public and private development in the Hamilton Canal Innovation District. The completion of the $38 million city-funded facility marks a significant and long-anticipated milestone in the development of the Hamilton Canal District and represents the district’s first completed ground-up construction project. The garage is considered to be a critical component in supporting future development throughout the 15-acre district.
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