CTA Construction Managers has officially commenced work on the highly anticipated Fort River Elementary School in Amherst, Massachusetts. The state-of-the-art, 105,750-square-foot facility is designed to replace the existing Fort River and Wildwood schools, providing a modern learning environment for 575 students from preschool through fifth grade.

The project, designed by DiNisco Design, prioritizes sustainability and will be a net-zero energy building. To achieve this, the school will incorporate both building-mounted and canopy-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Additionally, an advanced ground-source heat pump system, supported by 85 geothermal wells, will help regulate the building’s temperature efficiently.

According to Amherst town manager Paul Bockelman, “The project has been meticulously planned to ensure fiscal responsibility. Construction bids were opened on 17 September 2024, with CTA Construction Managers LLC of Waltham, Massachusetts, submitting the lowest bid at $73.48 million, contributing to total project savings of $4.8 million to date.”

Timeline And Project Hope

CTA Construction principal Jeff Hazelwood provided an overview of the project's timeline: “The new school is expected to open its doors to students in the fall of 2026. Demolition of the existing structure will follow, with all remaining site work projected to conclude by late spring or early summer 2027.”

Beyond its energy-efficient features, the new Fort River Elementary School will provide modern classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and improved outdoor play areas to foster student engagement and development.

CTA Construction’s Expanding Portfolio

CTA Construction, a construction management and general contracting firm, has a track record of delivering large-scale municipal, academic, and commercial projects. Its portfolio exceeds $1.7 billion in value.

In addition to the Fort River project, the company is actively constructing the new Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School in Newton, Massachusetts.

The new Fort River Elementary School is expected to set a new benchmark for energy-efficient school construction in the region while providing a state-of-the-art learning environment for Amherst’s students.

Originally reported by Global data.