By Irwin Rapoport CEG CORRESPONDENT
McCourt Construction Company crews will begin the second of two 75-day, round-the-clock construction phases to build a 650-ft.-long and several-hundred-foot-wide deck in the Atlantic Ocean at the end of Runway 9-27 at Boston
Logan International Airport, starting in September. The deck will house a runway safety area (RSA), a safety initiative designed to stop airplanes that may overshoot the runway. The project is expected to be completed in November.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced on March 26, 2026, a new milestone in the Cape Cod Bridges Program with the publication of a request for Letters of Interest from qualified design and construction firms for the Sagamore Bridge replacement project.
MassDOT will then issue a request for Qualifications (RFQ) followed by a request for Proposals (RFP), resulting in the selection of a design-build team and issuance of a Notice to Proceed by late 2027. Construction of the new Sagamore Bridge will start in the winter of 20272028.
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U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro announced at a news conference on March 23 that she secured $2.5 million in federal community project funding to enhance pedestrian walkability in the borough’s downtown section.
The funding will support improvements for multiple types of transportation downtown — including the construction of a pedestrian bridge, streetscaping and greenway development along the Naugatuck River — as work continues on a new train station, CT Insider reported on March 25.
The project is in early development, and there is no word of a general contractor yet.
“It’s about connectivity and about vibrancy of a community,” DeLauro said during the conference.
“It came at exactly the right time because we’re in the process right now of designing a pedestrian bridge that connects the west side of Naugatuck and the train station to the east side of Naugatuck, across the river, where we have parking right off the Route 8 on/off ramp,” said Mayor N. Warren Hess.
The proposed bridge would extend from the Hotchkiss Street area to the new train station.
“It also enhances our greenway on the east side of the river,” Hess said. “So it connects the east and the west. It gives us more parking for downtown. It helps us with our greenway project for more walkability, and it’s just sort of the next big piece in where we’re going.
“The pedestrian bridge is in the design phase. The borough previously received about $500,000 for its design. The greenway is also in the early design stages,” Hess added.
“It’s about transforming the downtown area and increasing the opportunity for quality of life,” DeLauro said. “It's all about economic development. It reconnects residents to one another and to the river — and the river is part of their daily lives and the spirit of our community.”
Borough officials are pushing for 80 to 100 parking
spaces, according to CT Insider.
“It’s critical in the sense that it makes the project on the west side better because it enables people to park closer to the train station than some of our downtown parking lots, just by walking a straight line across the river on a pedestrian bridge,” Hess said. “It also provides different walking routes for people.”
The bridge will connect the downtown east and west sides, where transit-oriented development is actively under way.
The current train station is being replaced by a new $33.2 million, two-story station under construction by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. The new station will include LED lighting, electric vehicle charging stations, 72 parking spaces and upgraded safety features.
“We’re at the end of the beginning,” Hess said. “What I mean by that is we finished the hard part — the disruptive work to the streets, the remediation of the land. We’ve put
On March 9, 2026, the next step of Phase II of the Presque Isle bypass project began.
The prime contractor and subcontractor will begin tree clearing on the roadway alignment, which will continue through March and April. There will be no impacts to traffic at this time. Overall, the project work involves 6.17 mi. of new roadway, which will include five large box culverts, the construction of four bridges and the construction of a new interchange that will connect with Phase 1 of this project.
The recently started work will take place just more than half-a-mile south of the Presque Isle/Westfield town line and move north. Phase II is expected to be complete by fall of 2029.
The Presque Isle Bypass Project is a longplanned effort to improve mobility and safety by providing an alternative route for through
traffic traveling around downtown Presque Isle. Community leaders, businesses and transportation officials have long discussed the need for a bypass to reduce congestion in the city center while improving the movement of commercial traffic through the region.
The project reflects years of planning and collaboration between MaineDOT, the city of Presque Isle and regional partners. With work now beginning on the ground, the project marks a significant step toward improving the reliability of this important transportation corridor and supporting the long-term economic vitality of northern Maine.
The prime contractor on this project is Sargent Corporation of Orono, Maine, and the contract amount on this project is $77,941,902.00.
the money together to make it happen. The most difficult parts are over, and now what we're seeing is that every year for the next four or five years, the entire project will be enhanced.
“There’ll be more and more people downtown. It’ll become more and more vibrant and we're working on facades, murals and other finishing touches to make the project even better every year.”
In an interview with CT Insider, DeLauro said that when she established community project funding through the appropriations process several years ago, she hoped it would allow federal resources to support projects that are meaningful to local communities.
The downtown revitalization will bring residential and commercial development side by side, supporting one another and boosting quality of life in the borough.
“Above all, it’s a driver of economic growth because it puts people first,” DeLauro said.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) announced that Gov. Kelly Ayotte and the Executive Council have approved the nomination of David M. Rodrigue to serve as the next NHDOT commissioner.
Rodrigue will complete the term of former Commissioner William Cass, who retired at the end of February 2026.
Commissioner Rodrigue joined the NHDOT in 1991 and has served in the Bureaus of Highway Design, Construction, Traffic and Highway Maintenance. In 2005, he became the department’s first Transportation Management Center and Intelligent Transportation Management System program manager, leading the construction,
outfitting and opening of the 24/7/365 Transportation Management Center.
Over the following years, Rodrigue served as assistant District 3 ed. He became assistant director of operations in 2012, director of operations in 2016 and assistant commissioner and chief engineer in 2022.
Rodrigue believes providing a safe, accessible and well planned, constructed, preserved and maintained transportation system is a critical responsibility that supports economic prosperity and quality of life for all, he said.
“I am honored, humbled and grateful to Governor Ayotte and the Executive Council for their trust and support,” he added.
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The launch of the procurement process is a major step toward replacement of the Sagamore Bridge and a significant step forward in ensuring safe, reliable travel between Cape Cod and mainland Massachusetts, according to MassDOT. Through the procurement process, MassDOT will continue to provide public updates about the project’s progress.
“The Sagamore Bridge and Bourne Bridge replacement are some of the most important infrastructure initiatives in the country...”
“Delivering essential transportation projects in a timely manner, on time and on budget is one way we can best serve the communities and residents that rely on a sound transportation system,” said Phil Eng, interim transportation secretary and MBTA general manager. “Engaging with industry and potential bidders demonstrates our commitment towards replacing the Sagamore Bridge. The Healey-Driscoll administration is investing in transportation needs that benefit Cape Cod’s 230,000 year-round residents and more than five million visitors, create thousands of jobs supporting local businesses and serve as an economic lifeline for those who work in
Jonathan Gulliver MassDOT
the region.”
“The Sagamore Bridge and Bourne Bridge replacement are some of the most important infrastructure initiatives in the country, and today’s announcement marks a major milestone in advancing the Healey–Driscoll Administration’s efforts to get this project done,” said Jonathan Gulliver, undersecretary and state highway administrator.
“By issuing this Letter of Interest, we are setting the stage for a competitive procurement that will bring forward innovative solutions and help deliver a safer, more reliable connection to Cape Cod.”
The Cape Cod Bridges project, led by MassDOT in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Highway Administration, will provide new crossings over the Cape Cod Canal to replace the federally owned, 90 year-old
Sagamore and Bourne Bridges, the only roadway connections between Cape Cod and the Massachusetts Mainland.
The Sagamore Bridge replacement will be the first phase of the project and also will include roadway realignments of Route 6 and Route 3, reconstruction of local roadway connections and new bicycle and pedestrian pathways on the bridges and along the canal. MassDOT has applied for more than $1 billion in federal grant funds for replacement of the Bourne Bridge.
The scope of work also includes bridge and roadway construction, traffic management to maintain travel during construction, stormwater improvements, environmental permitting and compliance and coordination with utilities and stakeholders. The project is currently undergoing environmental review in accordance with state and federal requirements.
For more information, visit mass.gov/cape-cod-bridges-program.
At the Associated General Contractors of Connecticut (AGC) BuildCT Awards held on, Feb. 12, 2026, Manafort was honored with the Construction Manager/General Contractor Mid-Size Renovation Award for the Bloomfield Public Library — Prosser Library project.
This recognition reflects the collective effort and dedication of Manafort’s team alongside the skilled contractors, subcontractors, design partners and client representatives who worked together to preserve and enhance this important community resource.
Manafort also was awarded the Construction Manager/General Contractor Award for New/Large Construction for its work on the Great Wolf Lodge Mashantucket project. This major destination highlights the exceptional coordination, craftsmanship and teamwork of all project partners involved, whose collaboration helped bring this complex and high-profile project to life, according to the company.
“These awards are a testament to the strength of collaboration across every level of the project teams,” the company said. “Manafort is proud to work alongside outstanding contractors, subcontractors, partners and clients whose shared commitment to quality and excellence continues to drive successful outcomes across the region.”
Manafort Brothers Inc. was selected to perform the civil and utility work, as well as the concrete construction for the new Great Wolf Lodge, a 549-room, 91,000-sq.-ft. family resort and indoor water park complex adjacent to the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.
The project included comprehensive site development and infrastructure improvements to support this significant hospitality destination. Manafort’s scope encompassed earthwork, retaining wall construction, installation of drainage and utility systems, final pavement and all civil and concrete work associated with the pool and indoor water park facilities to support the resort’s aquatic features.
In addition, Manafort provided all cast-in-place concrete services for the project, including footings, foundation walls, grade beams, structural slab on grade, shored slabs, columns, piers, concrete curbs, pads, and concrete work associated with the site finishes, ensuring a durable and precise foundation for this largescale facility.
LOGAN from page 1
The first phase began on Sept. 2, 2025.
McCourt secured the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) design-build contract to install the Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) in early January 2025. The project is primarily funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“The goal is to enhance safety for aircraft, passengers, and crew during emergency situations by improving the RSA at the end of Runway 27, in accordance with FAA design and safety standards,” stated a Massport press release. “A deck for the EMAS will be constructed partially in the water; however, this project does not extend the runway or change its operational capacity. EMAS is a vital safety system at Boston Logan and other airports located near water or ground elevation changes.
“This system is made of lightweight, collapsible material designed to stop a plane that has overshot the runway,” the release added. “Due to the geography around the airport, this system is extremely important and is an FAA-approved method for achieving safety standards. It is used at airports around the world and has prevented numerous serious accidents. Boston Logan currently has two other EMAS systems in use — one at the end of Runway 22R and the other at the end of Runway 33L.”
LOGAN page 14
The project at KBOS will construct a pile-supported deck over the harbor to extend the runway safety area to a length of 650 ft. from the runway’s end, along with emergency access ramps on either side. Massport noted that this is a required FAA safety project and will not extend the runway or change its operational capacity.
Closing the runway will impact the number of planes that can land and take off at Boston Logan.
“This could cause delays, especially if there are additional impacts due to weather or diversions,” the Massport press release stated.
While construction activity will take place seven days a week, noise-producing work will be limited to the following hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Approximately 70 percent of the RSA, supported by 300 pilings, will extend into the ocean. The structure will include emergency access ramps on both sides of the deck.
At the time McCourt secured the project, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. had completed 30 percent of the design.
“We only had a few months to take it to 100 percent drawings to be ready for construction last September,” said Tom Pyle, McCourt’s project manager.
The RSA will cover several acres. McCourt hired J.F. White Contracting Co. to install 300 piles, each measuring 3 in. by 16 in., in the ocean. These will be topped with beams and caps, followed by a cast-inplace deck for the EMAS system. The deepest section of the site is 30 ft., and the average drilling depth for the piles is approximately 135 ft.
“Once a large number of piles are driven, we connect them with pile caps,” said Pyle. “This is followed by placing precast concrete beams, then steel reinforcement. After that, we begin the closure and deck pours. We built two trestles on the east and west sides of the deck and worked our way out into the water.”
The first season’s work included both land- and water-based operations, with two cranes on land and
two on barges working toward the inlet.
“This way everything was connected,” said Pyle, noting that at high tide, the piles rise approximately 20 ft. above the water.
A total of five Manitowoc cranes were used — two 999s, two MLC300s and one 2250.
J.F. White provided barges that carried cranes, while Virginia-based Coastal Precast manufactured the piles, caps and beams, which were shipped to the site by barge. McCourt covered the cost of transporting the barges. Coastal Precast’s barges remained on site for several days as components were installed.
The lengthy supply chain presented unique challenges.
“When you are doing construction in the fall, which is hurricane season, you can encounter problems,” said Pyle. “Fortunately, we were able to avoid major storms. At times, we had to move barges out early and
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wait for storms to pass before resuming transport.”
Through discussions between Massport and the airlines, September through late November was identified as the optimal construction window.
“The summer is peak season for the airlines and the airport,” Pyle said.
With limited construction periods, coordination between McCourt and Massport is critical.
“Massport handles coordination for capital programs so we can focus on construction,” Pyle added.
Access to the site was secured by both land and sea.
“By land, we entered through the North Gate into the SIDA area, where all vehicles pass through security inspections,” Pyle said. “Crews working on the water accessed the site via the town of Winthrop.”
Typical workdays last year involved approximately 120 workers, with major subcontractors including J.F. White and Algar. Severe weather halted work for a few days, but crews made up for lost time.
Planning is ongoing to apply lessons learned from the first phase. Last year, crews installed an average of approximately 2.5 piles per day. This year, Pyle expects the remaining piles to be completed within the first 30 working days.
“Pile drilling could only be done between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. due to noise restrictions,” he said. “We also had to build a working surface for pile-driving rigs to access the trestles and advance toward the water.”
Last year, crews installed 250 piles, 68 pile caps and 132 beams, along with constructing the perimeter road.
Working over water presents inherent challenges, and McCourt implemented a “safety first” policy from the outset.
“After each shift change, we hold daily safety huddles to review potential hazards,” said Pyle. “Whether lifting piles from barges or driving them, we carefully manage swing radiuses and clearly mark all work zones.”
Safety personnel ensured compliance with protective equipment requirements, including hard hats, safety goggles and work boots.
“We make sure proper protocols are followed if anyone is injured,” Pyle added.
Crews also monitor tidal conditions, which so far have not posed significant issues.
In addition to maintaining safety, the team continues refining methods to improve efficiency.
The RSA infrastructure is designed for a 75-year service life, requiring materials capable of withstanding saltwater corrosion.
“We studied various types of concrete,” Pyle said.
McCourt collaborated with Jacobs Engineering to ensure appropriate materials were selected.
Pyle is supported by a team of engineers, foremen and superintendents, along with McCourt and subcontractor personnel.
“When you’re working seven days a week, 24 hours a day, it takes dedication,” he said. “It’s a major commitment over 75 consecutive days.”
Pyle noted that the marine environment has not significantly impacted equipment performance.
“The biggest wear-and-tear issues involve pile-driving hammers and crane cables,” he said. “With that volume of work, constant maintenance is essential.”
Mechanics are brought in as needed, and McCourt purchases and rents equipment from local and regional dealers. CEG (
Company.)
McCourt
