# New Boston Street Bridge Reopens in Woburn, Mass.

- **Published:** 2026-10-15
- **Edition:** Northeast
- **Source:** Construction Equipment Guide
- **Authors:** MassDOT
- **URL:** https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/new-boston-street-bridge-reopens-in-woburn-mass/72509
- **Tags:** Bridges, Massachusetts

## Summary
Woburn state and local officials recently celebrated the completion of the New Boston Street bridge replacement.

## Article

A long-awaited transportation project decades in the making reached its conclusion in Woburn as state and local officials recently celebrated the completion of the New Boston Street bridge replacement and dedicated the new structure as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The $26.9 million project replaces a bridge that had served as an important connection over the MBTA Lowell Line while also restoring a link between neighborhoods that had been disrupted for nearly 50 years. The completed project is expected to improve traffic flow, pedestrian access and connections to public transportation while supporting continued housing and economic development in the area.

The dedication also gives the bridge a lasting connection to Woburn's veterans. More than 1,700 Vietnam veterans call the city home, and the new name is intended to recognize their service and sacrifice.

“Strong roads and bridges are essential to strong communities,” Gov. Maura Healey said, emphasizing the state's broader investment in transportation infrastructure. “The new Boston Street Bridge will serve Woburn residents, workers, visitors and businesses for generations, and I'm especially proud that it will carry the name and honor the more than 1,700 Vietnam veterans who call Woburn home.”

The bridge project represents more than the replacement of an aging structure. For Woburn, it restores a connection that city officials and community advocates have pursued for decades and creates a more modern transportation corridor in an area positioned for additional growth.

## Connection Nearly 50 Years in the Making

The original New Boston Street bridge had long been a significant piece of Woburn's transportation network, carrying vehicles over the Lowell Line. Its replacement has been discussed and pursued over many years, with local and state officials working through the funding, design and legislative steps needed to bring the project to construction.

The result is a new bridge with two vehicular travel lanes, two shoulders and two sidewalks, providing space for motorists, pedestrians and other users of the corridor.

The project went beyond the bridge itself. Approximately 1,800 ft. of New Boston Street was reconstructed, including new pavement, sidewalks and wheelchair ramps. The work also included drainage improvements, new pavement markings and signage, as well as other upgrades necessary to integrate the new bridge into the surrounding roadway.

Together, those improvements create a substantially rebuilt transportation corridor rather than simply replacing the bridge deck and structure.

For residents of North Woburn, the project is particularly significant because it restores a connection that had been lost for decades.

“It's gratifying to drive over the new bridge knowing how many people have worked for decades to rebuild this critical connector to our thriving North Woburn neighborhoods,” Mayor Michael Concannon said.

The mayor also highlighted the decision to dedicate the bridge to Vietnam veterans, saying the project provides essential infrastructure while ensuring that the sacrifices of local veterans remain visible to the community.

## Supporting Growth, Transportation Access

The new bridge arrives as Woburn looks toward additional housing and economic development. Officials said restoring the New Boston Street connection will make it easier to move through the area while improving access to public transportation for residents and commuters.

The bridge crosses the MBTA Lowell Line, and the reconstructed roadway is intended to provide a more reliable connection for people traveling through the area.

State transportation officials also have pointed to the project's broader economic implications.

“The New Boston Street Bridge completes a critical segment that will enhance mobility and reconnect key parts of the city of Woburn, positioning the city to capitalize on its plans for future housing and job growth,” said Jonathan Gulliver, undersecretary and state highway administrator.

The improvements could become increasingly important as development continues in and around North Woburn. Better road and pedestrian infrastructure can help accommodate that growth while providing a safer and more accessible route for existing residents.

The project had a total cost of approximately $26.9 million, representing a substantial state and local investment in Woburn's transportation infrastructure.

## Memorial Built Into City's Transportation Network

While the project addresses longstanding transportation needs, its new name gives it another purpose: creating a permanent public memorial to Woburn's Vietnam veterans.

The designation is particularly meaningful because it places the memorial on a piece of infrastructure that thousands of people will encounter as part of their daily routines.

Veterans Services Secretary Eric Goralnick said the dedication offers travelers an opportunity to remember those who served.

“Every time a traveler uses this bridge, we encourage them to remember those who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms, and especially our service members from Woburn who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” Goralnick said.

The bridge's designation was supported through legislation sponsored by State Rep. Richard M. Haggerty, who represents Woburn and was involved with the project from its earlier stages.

Haggerty said he worked on the effort first as a member of the Woburn City Council, including voting to fund the bridge's design, and later helped advance legislation in the State House to formally dedicate the structure to Vietnam veterans.

“For the first time in nearly 50 years, this bridge restores an important connection that was lost decades ago, helping drive continued housing and economic development in the area while providing easier access to public transportation for thousands of commuters,” Haggerty said.

He added that the memorial designation will help preserve the memory of local veterans and their families for future generations.

## Years of Collaboration Come to End

The completion of the bridge reflects years of coordination among MassDOT, the city of Woburn, state legislators and other transportation and community stakeholders.

State Sen. Cindy Friedman credited her predecessor, former state Sen. Ken Donnelly, with helping develop the project and said its completion demonstrates what can be accomplished through sustained cooperation among state and local partners.

“Replacing the New Boston Street Bridge strengthens local infrastructure, improves transportation access, and supports long-term economic growth,” Friedman said. “The completion of this project reflects years of collaboration between state agencies, local partners, and community advocates.”

For MassDOT, the project also is part of a larger effort to upgrade bridges and roadways throughout Massachusetts.

Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said the new structure will provide a long-term connection for residents and commuters while recognizing the service of Woburn's Vietnam veterans.

The completed bridge now serves both purposes: it is a functional piece of transportation infrastructure designed to support Woburn's future, and a permanent reminder of the people whose military service helped shape the community.

With construction complete, the New Boston Street corridor has been returned to service with a modern bridge, reconstructed roadway, improved pedestrian facilities and upgraded drainage and traffic infrastructure. For Woburn, the project closes a chapter that began decades ago — and opens a new one focused on connectivity, development and preserving the memory of the city's veterans.

## Photos

![New Boston Street Bridge Reopens in Woburn, Mass. photo 1](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72509-massdot-featured.jpg_webp-bb580b3beeba14087c04ea3205f8da8a.jpg)
*Photo credit: MassDOT logo*