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3/11/2026
The North Station Draw One Bridge replacement project in Massachusetts took a key step forward last week with the signing of a project labor agreement (PLA) that covers iron workers and other trades union members who will build the new structure.
Supported by a $472.3 million federal grant, the infrastructure project will modernize a critical rail connection between Boston and Cambridge that serves the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail and Amtrak’s Downeaster services, according to a press release issued by Gov. Maura Healey's office.
The PLA was signed March 5 at an event attended by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Massachusetts Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng and members of the Iron Workers Local 7 and union building trades. The pact is designed to promote collaboration between labor and contractors while supporting workforce stability and preventing construction disruptions, state officials said in the press release.
The agreement establishes consistent wages, safety standards and working conditions for contractors and subcontractors. The construction effort is expected to create more than 15,600 direct and indirect jobs and represents the largest PLA executed since Healey signed an executive order a year ago to ensure major construction projects are completed safely, on time and on budget.
“Every week, more than a thousand trains rely on the Draw One Bridge to reach North Station,” said Driscoll. “Replacing this aging infrastructure will improve reliability, expand capacity and strengthen rail connections across Massachusetts and northern New England and support expanded regional rail service for years to come.”