Massachusetts Leaders Issue Joint Statement on Cape Cod Bridges

On Friday, Oct. 17, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, and U.S. Rep. Bill Keating (District 9) issued a joint statement responding to the White House Office of Management and Budget's announcement that the Trump Administration has paused $11 billion in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects. Those projects include the Sagamore and Bourne bridge replacements on Cape Cod. 

According to a media release issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, neither the Healey-Driscoll Administration nor the congressional delegation has received official notification about the U.S. government's actions. As noted in the release, the USACE has committed $350 million to the Sagamore Bridge and $250 million to the Bourne Bridge projects.

“While we are aware that the White House Office of Management and Budget tweeted that the Trump Administration is pausing $11 billion in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects, we have not received any information from the federal government regarding this action,” the statement read. 

“The Cape Cod Bridges are federally owned assets that carry millions of travelers a year and are essential for the safety of Cape Codders and visitors from across the country and the world,” the statement continued. “This project is moving forward with funding appropriated by a bipartisan Congress and lawfully awarded by the federal government. Our focus remains on rebuilding both bridges and delivering the safe, reliable transportation infrastructure that our residents, visitors, and businesses deserve.”

According to the media release, the USACE operates the Sagamore and Bourne bridges. They serve as the only means of vehicle access and emergency evacuation from Cape Cod to the Massachusetts mainland. Both bridges are approximately 90 years old, functionally obsolete, and nearing the end of their life span. 

The release stated that Healey and the Congressional delegation secured $1.72 billion in federal funding for the project. Of that amount, $350 million came from the USACE. In turn, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has pledged to double the contribution — offering more than $700 million in state funding — to rebuild both bridges. 

In addition, Massachusetts executed an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Army and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to transfer the $350 million from the USACE to the FHWA to proceed with rebuilding the Sagamore Bridge.