Sagamore Bridge Undergoes Inspection as State Eyes Replacement

A major bridge connecting Cape Cod with the rest of Massachusetts underwent regular inspection on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

The Sagamore Bridge is one of two bridges that the state has targeted for a significant replacement project. Both the Sagamore and its sister structure, the Bourne Bridge, are more than 90 years old.

According to an NBC10 Boston report, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the bridges. The state is now aiming to take control of the aging structures, which are regarded as functionally obsolete.

"We do consider the bridges to be safe," said Luisa Paiewonsky, executive director of Megaprojects at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, in a statement shared with NBC10 Boston. "They are nearing the end of their useful lives. They're 90 years old, and it is getting to be a time to replace them."

Funding for the Sagamore Bridge's replacement has been secured at $2.3 billion. Funds for the Bourne Bridge under the Trump administration have not been confirmed. The reconstruction work for both bridges is expected to cost approximately $4.5 billion, according to NBC10 Boston.

When built, the new structures that will replace the Sagamore and Bourne bridges will include two travel lanes in both directions, plus pathways for pedestrians and bikes.

Construction is expected to begin within the next two years. Eminent domain notices have been distributed to more than a dozen property owners near the Sagamore Bridge, NBC10 Boston reported.