New applications for federal money put Sagamore Bridge replacement in sight, state says

The state and a federal agency have applied for enough money to cover more than the estimated $2.13 billion cost to replace the aging Sagamore Bridge in Bourne.

On Monday, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced a joint application with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking $1.06 billion in federal funding for the phased replacement of the two Cape Cod Canal bridges. The phased replacement would begin with the heavily trafficked Sagamore Bridge, the announcement said.

Steven Tupper, deputy director of the Cape Cod Commission, said while the grant is “highly competitive” the level of cooperation among federal, state and local agencies makes the likelihood of the state transportation agency's success far greater than it would be otherwise.

“We know that the replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges, along with the multimodal connectivity in the surrounding communities, is critical to long term viability of the region,” Tupper said. “The replacement of these bridges is the only viable solution to address the existing public safety needs while ensuring economic progress for the Cape and Islands.”

Along with Monday's announcement, Gov. Maura Healey’s office announced on Aug. 14 an application plan for securing $1.44 billion in federal discretionary grant money to replace both the Sagamore and Bourne bridges.

The total of the application in August and the one announced Monday is $2.5 billion. Replacing the Sagamore Bridge now stands at $2.31 billion, and replacing both is now estimated to cost $4.541 billion.

Both bridges, which are the primary connection to Cape Cod from the mainland, are an increasing public safety risk due to their ages. Both were built in 1933.

Construction on the Sagamore Bridge could begin in 2028 under the new funding scheme.

Earlier this year, the project hit a wall when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers learned it would not receive grants of more than $1 billion in discretionary funds under the 2022 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America, Mega Grant Program and the Bridge Investment Program.

Monday's joint application shows the "immediate need" to secure funding so that the bridge replacement project can advance into further design and construction, state Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said in a statement.

Funding is being sought through the fiscal year 2023-2026 Bridge Investment Program Large Bridge Project Program, according to the agency.

Joint efforts underway to find money to replace Cape Cod Canal bridges

Since the Army Corps of Engineers was turned down for funding, several joint efforts have been underway — from those by U.S. lawmakers to local transportation infrastructure officials.

The project is set to take place in phases, with the Sagamore Bridge being the first choice and a replacement of the Bourne Bridge to follow.

To allow the continuous flow of traffic throughout construction, the new Sagamore Bridge will be built alongside the existing bridge, according to the transportation agency.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could not be reached Monday for comment.

Walker Armstrong reports on all things Cape and Islands, primarily focusing on courts, transportation and the Joint Base Cape Cod military base. Contact him at WArmstrong@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jd__walker.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Sagamore Bridge rebuild is focus of new state, federal grant requests