MassDOT awards contract for rail bridge replacements

A contract has been awarded for the replacement of four rail bridges in New Bedford and Fall River along the future South Coast Rail Line, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and other state and local officials announced yesterday.

The improvements will advance South Coast Rail while also providing immediate benefit to freight operations in the region, state officials said in a post on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) blog.

The contract for the $42 million project to replace three Fall River Bridges and the Wamsutta Bridge in New Bedford was awarded to Cardi Corp.

In June, MassDOT's board approved a $210 million, 10-year contract to a joint venture of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Corp. The contract officially moved the South Coast Rail project from planning to construction. The bridge contract announced yesterday is in addition to the 10-year contract.

The rail bridges will include the President Avenue, Brownell Avenue and Golf Club Road bridges in Fall River and the three-span Wamsutta Bridge in New Bedford. Additionally, a separate contract with Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will upgrade five grade crossings in Taunton, Freetown and New Bedford.