The Cape Cod community is calling on Governor Charlie Baker, State, and Federal officials to support and fund a permanent fix for the Cape Cod Canal area transportation system.

The 83+-year-old Sagamore and Bourne Bridges are too old, too narrow, rated either “structurally deficient” or “functionally obsolete” and qualify for replacement under federal guidelines. They have no modern safety features such as lane separation, shoulders, and pedestrian or bicycle separations.

Cape area residents and businesses depend on predictable and efficient travel over the Canal for their economic well-being, and safety during medical emergencies or natural disasters. These antiquated bridges which have chronic maintenance cycles requiring lane drops are causing an estimated $30 million/year in lost time, and are hurting residents and businesses through missed appointments, aggravation, and pollution from auto emissions.

We call on our elected officials to:

1. Implement recommendations in the MassDOT Canal Area Transportation Study to fix connecting roadways and minimize congestion, while maintaining the character and environmental protection of the region.

The final report of the MassDOT-led Cape Cod Canal Area Transportation Study is complete and pending release.  It addresses improvements to all of the connecting roadways and chokepoints that create and enhance congestion.  Alone this will provide relief and provide a more efficient roadway system.  When combined with new bridges they will relieve all but peak-season travel delays, while maintaining the character of the Cape and preserving environmental assets. http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/capecodcanalstudy/Home.aspx

2. Press for a timely conclusion to the Army Corps of Engineers Major Rehabilitation Evaluation Report with a recommendation to replace both bridges, and then expedite actions necessary to do so.  Corps estimates of another decade to begin replacement bridge construction are not acceptable.

To address the future of some of the oldest U.S. Army Corp’s bridges in the nation, the Army Corps is finalizing a “Major Rehabilitation Evaluation Report” to determine whether the bridges should continue to be maintained or replaced.  We believe that replacement is the obvious answer.

Restricted road access over the Canal is one of our region's greatest economic threats.  The time for talk and study is over.  Deliberate action is needed now.