CONCORD, Mass. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District is holding public information meetings on the future of the Cape Cod Canal highway bridges spanning the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne, Massachusetts. Three meetings have been held already. Upcoming Corps public information meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 11 in Martha’s Vineyard, and Wednesday, Dec. 12 in Hyannis.
The Corps is conducting a multiyear Major Rehabilitation Evaluation study of the Bourne and Sagamore highway bridges to determine whether major rehabilitation or replacement of either or both bridges will provide the most reliable, fiscally responsible solution for the future. The existing bridges were constructed 83 years ago and require increasingly more frequent maintenance, which is costly and causes significant impact to traffic crossing the Cape Cod Canal.
More information on the Corps bridge study, including the study overview presentation from the public information meetings, is available on the website at www.CapeCodCanalBridgesStudy.com.
The bridge study will result in a Major Rehabilitation Evaluation Report (MRER) evaluating the risk and reliability of the structures as well as the economic impacts/benefits of a number of alternatives including continuation of routine maintenance, major rehabilitation, and bridge replacement. The MRER is comprised of four elements: 1) structural engineering analysis of the bridges; 2) cost estimates for rehabilitation and/or replacement alternatives; 3) economic benefits of the alternatives; and 4) environmental effects of the alternatives.
As part of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, the Corps is seeking public input and will coordinate with appropriate state and Federal agencies and federally recognized Tribes to fully evaluate the alternatives.
During the public information meetings the Corps will provide an overview of the MRER study, and the public and other stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide oral and/or written comments related to the study.
Meeting registration will start at 6 p.m. There will be an open house from 6 – 6:30 p.m. with information posters and Corps staff on hand to answer questions about the MRER. A project overview presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the opportunity for public comment concluding with all comments provided, or building closure, whichever comes first.
Public comments can be submitted online at: www.CapeCodCanalBridgesStudy.com. Written comments can be submitted to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: Cape Cod Bridges Study NEPA Coordinator, 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751.
Two upcoming Corps public information meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations:
- Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018 in the Martha's Vineyard High School Performing Arts Center, 100 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.
- Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018 in the Barnstable High School Performing Arts Center, 744 West Main Street in Hyannis, Mass.