A new draft of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Major Rehabilitation Evaluation Report on the Cape Cod Canal Bridges earned praise from Massachusetts legislators last week.
The report concluded that the best path forward for two bridges over the Cape Cod Canal is to replace them entirely and construct two new modern bridges in their place. The existing bridges — the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges — are 80 years old, and time has taken its toll on them. Still, they connect the more than 200,000 residents on the Cape and assorted islands to mainland Massachusetts.
“The Army Corps of Engineers’ recommendation to replace the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges over the Cape Cod Canal is good news for the Cape and Islands, and for communities all across the Commonwealth,” U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said. “Updating our transportation infrastructure will help us grow our economy while enhancing our public safety, and I’m committed to seeing this important project move forward.”
For the Corps’ recommendation, U.S. Sens. Edward Markey (D-MA), Warren, and U.S. Rep. William Keating (D-MA) commended them. At the same time, all three seem to indicate it as a step in the right direction, but merely one step in a greater push for federal funding for such projects.
“Two new bridges built up to modern standards will improve traffic flow, allow better access to the Cape and Islands in the coming years, and provide vital evacuation routes,” Keating said. “Once complete, the new configuration of the bridge, which will include breakdown lanes and room for adequate pedestrian traffic, will reduce the need for future lane restrictions. As a year-round resident of Cape Cod, who depends on the Bourne Bridge, I strongly feel that this is the best outcome for our Cape and Islands community and the greater Southeastern region as a whole. Our federal delegation stands together in pursuing funding in Congress for this important project.”