Massachusetts gets $1 billion in federal funds for Cape Cod bridge replacement.
Massachusetts is making significant progress in securing funding to replace two aging bridges connecting Cape Cod to the mainland. Governor Maura Healey announced that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have obtained nearly $1 billion in federal funding for the construction of new bridges over the Cape Cod Canal. This funding comes from a bipartisan bridge investment program.
With this new allocation, the total federal funding for the project has reached approximately $1.72 billion, supplemented by $700 million in state funding pledged by Healey’s administration. The overall estimated cost for replacing both bridges is around $4.5 billion.
“This is a game-changing award for Massachusetts,” Healey stated. “We’ve never been closer to rebuilding the Cape Cod Bridges than we are right now. This funding will be critical for getting shovels in the ground.” The Cape Cod area, which includes the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, is home to about 263,000 residents and attracts around five million visitors annually.
Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers owns and maintains the existing bridges, which have been deemed structurally deficient and functionally obsolete, nearing the end of their operational lifespan. Officials have indicated that if the bridges are not replaced soon, one could face an 18-month closure for maintenance.
The plan prioritizes replacing the Sagamore Bridge first, followed by the Bourne Bridge. Upon completion, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will take over ownership, maintenance, and operation of the new structures. Construction on the original bridges began in 1933. The replacement project is expected to create approximately 9,000 construction jobs, bolstering the local economy.
In addition to the recent $1 billion federal grant, Massachusetts secured $372 million last year from the Federal Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program and another $350 million in the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. Healey’s administration is actively seeking additional federal funding to cover later phases of the project, including the Bourne Bridge replacement.
Democratic U.S. Representative Bill Keating, whose district encompasses Cape Cod, emphasized the importance of the new Sagamore Bridge, describing it as a “lifeline” for the area’s 250,000 residents and a crucial economic connector for workers and tourists. The Sagamore Bridge currently handles more traffic and is involved in about 56% of accidents on the bridges. The new design will feature wider lanes, rapid bus transit options, and dedicated pathways for bicycles and pedestrians. Similarly, the new Bourne Bridge will also include a shared path for cyclists and walkers, enhancing safety and accessibility. Overall, the ambitious project represents a critical investment in infrastructure that will not only improve safety but also stimulate economic growth in the Cape Cod region.