City of Lowell Construction Projects

Projects Map, Nov. 2019

11/12/19: Informational Construction Projects memo

8/21/19: Informational Construction Projects memo

6/25/19: Informational Construction Projects Memo

4/2/2019: Informational Design and Construction Projects Memo

HCID Parking Garage

This project will construct a 930 space parking garage to support public and private development in the Hamilton Canal Innovation District. The project is well underway with foundation construction complete.  The current phase is the precast installation.  A giant crane has been assembled on site.  Large 85’ long trucks have begun bringing the precast panels to the site, 700+ in total.  The trucks will arrive at the site at 20 minute intervals via the Lowell Connector and Thorndike Street.  Expect periodic delays on Thorndike Street and Dutton Street from late January to March 2020.  

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 Pawtucket Canal –currently underway for utility relocation.  This bridge is currently closed to vehicular traffic, pending an inspection.  Click here for the detour map. Bridge completion is anticipated by April 2022.

Merrimack Street over Merrimack Canal – Project complete.

Merrimack Street over Western – Project complete.

Pawtucket Street over Northern Canal – currently underway and closed to vehicular traffic.  Students/pedestrians can cross.  On April 25th, Father Morissette Boulevard will be closed from Aiken Street to University Ave over night from approximately 6:00 pm until 6:00 am for steel erection.  Bridge completion is anticipated by November 2020. 

Central Street over Pawtucket Canal – work to begin on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.  Initially, the TMP will be set up daily as single lane closures with barrels.  The permanent TMP setup with jersey barriers will begin mid April.  Bridge completion is anticipated by September 2021.

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.  This project will be completed by Summer 2020.

Lord Overpass

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.  Click here for more project information.

A contractor has been awarded the project and a detailed schedule and the TMP phasing will be provided to the public shortly.  It is anticipated that the construction work will be completed during normal working hours and project duration is anticipated to be 36-40 months. Construction mobilization should begin at in Spring 2020. 

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

Under Construction:

  • VFW Highway over Beaver Brook 
  • Lowell Connector over Industrial Avenue East Bridge Deck Replacement

Route 38 improvements:

  • Rogers Street and Douglas Road Intersection Improvements
  • Rogers Street and Fairmont Street Intersection improvements
  • Nesmith Street/Andover Street/East Merrimack Street Intersection Improvements and widening

Construction began in summer 2019. Work includes tree removal, utility relocation and coordination.  The anticipated construction duration is 24 months.  Route 38 plan set

Construction planned for summer 2019

In addition to above mentioned projects, there are City-wide paving and sidewalk programs that will begin in early April and continue into the fall.  During this same duration, there is ongoing utility work by municipal and private utility companies. Traffic management considerations for these smaller projects are evaluated in conjunction with the larger projects mentioned above.

In design with programmed construction funding, FY 2020:

  • Lowell Connector Reconfiguration between Thorndike Street and Gorham Street
  • VFW Highway Reconstruction and related work
  • Pedestrian Walkway and Bicycle Connection at Pawtucket Falls Overlook-Vandenberg Esplanade to School Street (with NPS and City of Lowell)

In preliminary design with no programmed construction funding:

  • Replacement of Rourke Bridge and Wood Street Extension over B&M Railroad and Merrimack River

Click here to be directed to the MASSDOT website for information about the projects listed above.

Private Development Construction Projects

Thorndike Exchange - 165 Thorndike Street

The former home of Thorndike Factory Outlet and Comfort Furniture, Thorndike Exchange is a private, adaptive re-use project turning old mill space into a thriving mixed-use community.