CTA Construction Managers has started construction on the new Fort River Elementary School, a new 105,750ft² building in Amherst, Massachusetts, US.

The three-storey building will replace the current Fort River and Wildwood schools. Upon completion, the new school will house 575 students from preschool to fifth grade.

The design for the new school has been provided by DiNisco Design as a net-zero energy building.

The facility will feature building-mounted and canopy-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. A ground-source heat pump mechanical system will also be installed, supported by 85 geothermal wells.

The building will generate 100% of its energy requirements on-site, in line with Amherst's commitment to sustainability.

Amherst town manager Paul Bockelman said: "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 $73.48m, contributing to total project savings of $4.8m to date.

CTA Construction Managers principal Jeff Hazelwood said: "The new school is expected to open its doors to students in the fall [late] of 2026. Demolition of the existing structure will follow, with all remaining site work projected to conclude by late spring/early summer [mid] 2027.”

CTA is a construction management and general contracting company specialising in municipal, academic, multifamily residential, and commercial facilities. The company’s portfolio of projects totals more than $1.7bn.

CTA is also working on the new Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School in Newton, Massachusetts.