Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said her state will take the next step in delivering the North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement Project modernizing the connection between Boston and Cambridge.
Healey signed a Project Labor Agreement on Thursday, that will support the construction of the new bridge and will help ensure the project is completed safely, on time and on budget.
The project modernizes the rail connection serving the MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak’s Downeaster Service. Supported by a $472.3 million federal grant, the largest federal infrastructure award in MBTA history, the project is expected to create more than 15,600 jobs across the state.
“Replacing the Draw One Bridge is one of the most important rail infrastructure projects in Massachusetts history,” Healey said. “This project represents the kind of investments we are making in Massachusetts-creating thousands of good jobs while rebuilding critical infrastructure that keeps our economy and transportation network moving. This agreement will help ensure this project is completely safely, on time and on budget, and we’re proud to stand with our partners in labor to deliver this for the people of Massachusetts.”
Officials said the agreement would promote strong collaboration between labor and contractors while supporting workforce stability and preventing construction disruptions. The agreement established wages, safety standards and working conditions for both contractors and subcontractors and will help ensure the project workforce is safe and efficient. The agreement is the largest Project Labor Agreement executed since Healey signed an executive order ensuring major construction projects are completed safely, on time and on budget.
“Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we are focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects like the North Station Draw 1 Bridge replacement. We are proud of the jobs that work like this will create and support,” Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said. “This Project Labor Agreement is invaluable to the successful delivery of Draw 1. It provides labor stability, harmony, and predictability for this highly complex, multi-year construction effort, which will replace two movable bridges dating back to 1931 while ensuring the MBTA can maintain active rail operations and service for the public.”