Bass River, Harwich bridge replacement projects to receive millions in funding

The Bass River Bridge, which connects Yarmouth and Dennis, is a vital transportation link on the Cape and will soon be made safer.

The bridge, which carries significant summer traffic, is also “structurally deficient,” according to the Federal Highway Administration.

That all may change following Gov. Charlie Baker's Feb. 3 announcement to use $3 billion in state and federal to rebuild bridges across the state.

Cape officials are excited.

"That's great news," said Jeffrey Colby, Department of Public Works director for the town of Yarmouth.

Baker's plan is made up of 146 bridge repair projects, including the Bass River plan, which also calls for improvements to a Main Street intersection in Yarmouth.

Plans are also in the works to replace the small bridge over the Herring River on Azalea Drive in Harwich.

46% of the Cape's bridges need repairs: Here's what we know about the conditions and plans

“There’s been a historic underinvestment in transportation infrastructure and the situation requires heightened attention in terms of the condition of all the bridges on the Cape that are in the (structurally deficient) category,” said Steven Tupper, transportation program manager at the Cape Cod Commission, in a November interview.

State OKs $3.4 million to replace bridge over Herring River in Harwich

The Bass River bridge replacement and Main Street work is targeted to get $18.7 million from the plan. The Azalea Drive bridge project is scheduled to receive almost $3.5 million.

Both bridges will still be open to traffic during construction.

Yarmouth's Colby said that since projects are becoming more and more expensive to fund, the federal money is quite welcome. The federal help will also allow the project to move more quickly than had it relied on state money alone.

COLUMN: Let's get to work on the Bass River Bridge

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has an aggressive schedule to begin construction, he said, potentially starting in October of 2023.

The Bass River Bridge Replacement and Intersection Improvements Project recently had its 25% design public hearing, where officials heard from the public. The next step will be having a 75% public hearing in the early summer.

What improvements will be made?

MassDOT will widen the bridge deck and create a shared-use path. The intersection at Main Street, specifically at North Main Street, and Old Main Street, is a “High Crash Location.” It will be made safer by improving things like traffic signals and turn lanes.

The Azalea Bridge project, in a primarily residential area in Harwich, will replace the bridge, improving safety and drainage and providing new conduits for utilities.

Harwich DPW Director Lincoln Hooper said it is a benefit to the people of Harwich that the project will be funded without putting a burden on taxpayers.

He said the project will go out to bid in August.

"I think it’s certainly a step in the right direction in terms of seeing additional funding for the region,” said Tupper.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod structurally deficient bridges projects Bass, Herring rivers