LOWELL – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Lowell’s state delegation, and Mill City leaders to officially break ground on the Rourke Bridge Replacement Project, a long-awaited infrastructure upgrade made possible by $251 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The ceremony was covered extensively by Boston TV news stations, as well as local media outlets. InsideLowell broadcast the event live on Facebook. (Link to Facebook Live video also at end of story)
“For decades, folks in Lowell have waited for a permanent solution to the Rourke Bridge, and today, we’re delivering. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re breaking ground on a safe, modern bridge that will finally meet the needs of Mill City residents,” Congresswoman Trahan told the gathering. “This project is about more than just reducing traffic – it’s about connecting neighborhoods, improving safety, and investing in Lowell’s future. I was proud to fight for the funding that made this possible, and I’ll keep working to bring federal dollars home to deliver results for our community.”
“I’m proud to help deliver $251 million in federal funding for a milestone decades in the making: the replacement of the Rourke Bridge,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “This groundbreaking represents a bridge to a strong future for Lowell—a bridge between our federal, state, and local government, and a bridge between the communities of workers, immigrants, students, and scientists who embody the city of Lowell. At a moment when federal funding is under attack, this investment in Lowell—made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—demonstrates the power of what we can achieve when Congress partners with our states and municipalities to deliver transformative investments. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Trahan, Senator Warren, the Healey-Driscoll administration, City Manager Golden, Mayor Rourke, and state and local officials in Lowell for their dedication to making this project a reality.”
Constructed in 1983 as a “temporary” structure, the Rourke Bridge has served as a vital connection between Lowell’s Highlands and Pawtucketville neighborhoods for over 40 years. Despite its temporary origins, the bridge remains in daily use by more than 27,000 vehicles, yet lacks the capacity and multimodal infrastructure to support today’s traffic volumes and accessibility standards.
“The Rourke Bridge is more than just a way to cross the Merrimack; it’s a lifeline for Lowell and the surrounding region,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Breaking ground on this project marks a major step toward a safer, stronger, and more connected future. With new lanes, sidewalks, and shared-use paths, the bridge will serve drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike, while modernized intersections will keep traffic moving safely and efficiently. I’m deeply grateful to our municipal partners, legislative delegation, and project team for their collaboration in delivering an investment that will strengthen this connection and benefit the community for generations.”
“The Rourke Bridge is a key crossing over the Merrimack River and the design of the replacement bridge is a major victory for both safety and mobility in the city of Lowell,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Once complete, the finished product will be a landmark structure that will meet the city’s dynamic transportation needs well into the future.”
The Rourke Bridge Replacement Project will deliver a state-of-the-art, 84-foot-wide, seven-span structure built adjacent to the existing bridge. The new bridge will include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, stormwater improvements, modern highway lighting, landscaping, and utility relocations.
Construction will allow the current bridge to remain open with minimal traffic disruption. The new bridge is expected to open to traffic by the end of 2029, with final project completion anticipated by spring 2030.
“Today’s milestone shows what’s possible when local, state, and federal leaders work together toward a shared goal,” said Lowell City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. “This project is an investment in Lowell’s infrastructure that will ease congestion, improve safety for all modes of travel, and support economic growth on both sides of the Merrimack River. I want to thank our partners for securing the funding and prioritizing a project that will have lasting benefits for Lowell.”
Trahan has continued to secure significant federal investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in projects across the City of Lowell. In 2023, Trahan, Markey, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) announced $21.4 million to upgrade four key canal bridges.
Last year, Trahan and Markey celebrated $15 million to support energy efficiency efforts throughout Lowell Public Schools and $6.8 million for 7 new hybrid buses for the Lowell Regional Transit Authority. She also announced $5.5 million to support revitalization efforts along the VFW Highway and in the Hamilton Canal District and highlighted $1.2 million for a pollution prevention project at the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), an independent state agency based at UMass Lowell.
(Link to InsideLowell Facebook Live video)
