MassDevelopment Shirley, MA

Lovell Road Bridge Replacement

BSC is providing integrated bridge and roadway design services for the replacement of the Lovell Road bridge over Catacunemaug Brook in Shirley, Massachusetts. The existing 63-foot-span bridge will be replaced with a new 110-foot-span structure designed to meet the Massachusetts River and Stream Crossing Standards, improve hydraulic performance, and support long-term resiliency at this environmentally sensitive crossing near the Nashua River confluence.

BSC’s work includes hydrographic and field surveys, climate change evaluation, Level 2 hydrologic analysis, and development of a digital terrain model and HEC-RAS 2D hydraulic model to assess existing conditions and compare replacement alternatives under current and future storm events.

In addition to bridge replacement design, BSC is advancing roadway improvements along Lovell Road to improve safety, drainage, and constructability. The project includes vertical profile optimization, MASH-compliant guardrail, drainage enhancements, utility coordination, and a temporary utility bridge to support high-pressure sewer lines during construction. Because the corridor provides access to the adjacent Fort Devens Army facility, BSC is also developing a complex construction staging and detour strategy that maintains critical access while protecting motorists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable users. The hydraulic report has been reviewed and accepted by MassDOT Hydraulics, positioning the project for advancement into the next phase of design.