Sagamore Bridge to shrink to two lanes this March for ‘critical maintenance’

BOURNE, Mass — The connection to the Cape will be downsizing this spring in order to perform “critical maintenance” on the structure, according to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

On March 1, the normal four lanes spanning the Cape Cod Canal will shrink to two. While roadway and structural repairs are conducted on Sagamore Bridge, there will only be one 12-foot-wide single-lane in either direction.

According to USACE, the lane restrictions will be in place 24 hours a day until the repair work is completed.

Parts of the bridge scheduled to see repair work are the roadways’ concrete and pavement, steel beam support, bridge joints and concrete abutment structures. Crews will also work on the Sagamore’s lighting and drainage systems.’

The expiration date of the Sagamore has become a frequent topic of conversation by Massachusetts transportation officials.

In November, MassDOT unveiled plans to build 4 new bridges over the Cape Cod Canal, as it still seeks billions of dollars in federal money for the massive undertaking.

A report issued in 2019 by MassDOT found both the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges were “substandard in several ways.”

“Travel-lane widths are too narrow, there are no roadway shoulders, and bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are minimal,” according to that report.

The MassDOT report in 2019 indicated that both replacement bridges would be built immediately adjacent to and inside of the existing Bridges, and could be much larger than they are now.

Traffic signs and message boards will help inform motorists about upcoming lane restrictions and bridge work. Police will be on-site to assist with traffic.

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