Bridge reconstruction plans move forward
Ever since taking office I have been a vocal advocate for replacing the Sagamore and Bourne Cape Cod Canal bridges. These bridges are a vital link for commerce, tourism, and the day-to-day quality of life of residents of the 5th Barnstable District. I believe replacing the bridges is necessary because the bridges are fundamentally outdated, meaning that they’re not only unsuitable for current transportation needs, but also too costly to maintain and potentially unsafe for people who use them. But because of the federal government’s interest in these bridges, I also think their replacement should not come at the expense of Cape Cod taxpayers and motorists. And, I want to make sure any construction projects take place in a way that respects the interests of nearby residents.
This year, officials finally finished maintenance work on the bridges that caused headaches due to lane restrictions. We also received indications that the federal government might dedicate some additional funding to this project. But, we also were told that the state wants federal funding to be used only to rebuild the Sagamore bridge at first, hoping that focusing on just one project will increase chances for the federal government to contribute money.
The story changed in mid-December, when the federal government awarded Massachusetts $372 million to go towards replacement of the Cape Cod Canal bridges. This is excellent news! While we still have a long way to go on this project, and while this funding is not all we need, this is a terrific step forward. I thank everyone who was involved in helping to make this happen, specifically Governor Healey and her administration, the members of our Congressional, and Cape Cod delegation.
I stand by my commitment that both bridges should be rebuilt, with substantial funding from the federal government, and I will continue pushing state and federal officials for such a solution.