BOURNE, Mass. — Massachusetts will move toward what one congressman described as "a new chapter in Cape Cod's history" through an agreement with federal officials to replace the two bridges connecting the Cape to the mainland with wider, state-controlled successors.
Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. William Conde signed a formal memorandum of understanding Tuesday to embark on a yearslong joint project to replace the 85-year-old Bourne and Sagamore Bridges, two economic and transportation linchpins that have been functionally obsolete for years.
"These are more than bridges. These are lifelines," said Congressman Bill Keating, whose district includes both spans, in a video message played during the virtual signing event. "We need modern bridges that will deal with modern vehicles, modern commercial transport and open up passageways for bicycles and pedestrian traffic."
This comes after the U.S. Army Corps, which oversees and maintains the bridges, found they’re not safe enough for drivers in the long-term.
Under the agreement, the Corps will retain ownership and management of the Bourne and Sagamore for the duration of the construction and demolition project. The federal government will also pick up the tab, which the Corps previously estimated could range between $1.45 billion and $1.6 billion.
“The MOU will serve as a living document and that should reassure residents and the business community and visitors that the current the bridges will be maintained while we look towards their successors,” said Governor Charlie Baker during the virtual announcement. “The economic vitality of the Cape and the islands and the quality of life for people who live and work in that region have been and continue to be dependent on those bridges.”
“All of us have driven over the Bourne and Sagamore bridges and noticed how narrow the lanes are, how close the oncoming traffic seems, that they’re tough if you’re on foot or on a bicycle,” said Pollack. “The bridges have served us well, but their days are numbered.”
Once construction is complete, ownership of the new bridges will transfer from the corps to MassDOT, which state and federal officials described as a more natural fit that allows the department to align its work on surrounding roadways with the highly traveled canal crossings themselves.
The Sagamore and Bourne bridges were built about 85 years ago, back when cars were smaller and traffic was much lighter, so these new bridges will be built for more modern times with wider lanes and space for bikes and pedestrians as well.
“Certainly back in the 1930′s they did something extraordinary and it lasted us 80 years,” said Scott Bosworth, Chief Strategy Officer at MassDOT. “We are embarking now on a journey that’s going to be extraordinarily difficult, but we together can get it done and we together will build bridges that will last another 80 years.”
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