New document transfers $350 million in federal funding from USACE to FHWA, moves MassDOT further toward replacing the Sagamore Bridge

Boston - In a sign of continued momentum on the Cape Cod Bridges project, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has signed a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Department of the Army and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to move forward on rebuilding the Sagamore Bridge.?Under the agreement, the USACE will transfer a previously appropriated $350 million in federal funding to the Federal Highway Administration. The FHWA Eastern Federal Lands Division will use the funds to construct a portion of the new Sagamore Bridge as part of MassDOT’s overall replacement project.

“We continue to make important progress in our efforts to rebuild both Cape Cod Bridges. After securing $1.72 billion in federal funding, we’re now moving forward with an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Army and the Federal Highway Administration that will allocate a crucial piece of that funding and allow us to begin construction on the Sagamore Bridge,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re grateful to our MassDOT team, as well as our Congressional delegation and federal partners for their continued partnership and commitment to delivering this project for the people of Massachusetts.”

“We understand how crucial this project is to the Cape Cod community and to the economic vitality of our entire state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Today marks an important next step and brings us even closer to putting shovels in the ground.”

“This agreement is a critical milestone showing the strong collaboration across Massachusetts, the Army Corps, and US DOT to keep Cape Cod connected to the state and region for generations to come,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White. “FHWA is proud to partner alongside U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Massachusetts DOT as we work hand-in-hand to deliver this vital transportation infrastructure.”

“This agreement is another critical step to benefit the people of Massachusetts and visitors who depend on safe, resilient, and modernized access to Cape Cod and the islands.? It is a tremendous achievement to have reached this point in the plan to replace the Cape Cod bridges,” said Michael L. Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “The effective partnerships between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MassDOT and the Federal Highways Administration has developed a solution that will serve this region for decades to come.”

“The replacement of the Sagamore Bridge is a major investment in the future of Cape Cod and New England. The project will offer us a safer bridge, with more lanes and greater accessibility for the thousands of residents and visitors who rely on this route connection every day,” said Army Col. Justin Pabis, the commanding officer of USACE, New England District. “This collaboration between USACE, MassDOT and the FHWA marks our shared commitment to giving the Cape a modern and resilient bridge, capable of meeting the needs of tomorrow.”   

“Today, we’re one step closer to replacing the Cape Cod Bridges — a decades-overdue project that will lift up the entire region,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “An investment this big is made possible only by teamwork, and it’s thanks to our strong federal, state, and local partnership that we were able to secure over $2 billion for the bridges. I’ll keep working closely with Senator Markey, Representative Keating, Governor Healey, and the delegation to get this crucial project to the next stage.”

"Today's agreement on the Cape Cod Bridges paves the way for a greener, safer, and brighter future for the Cape, Islands, and the entire region. We always knew that replacing the Cape Cod Bridges would require close collaboration across all levels of government and amongst the community,” said Senator Ed Markey. “This Memorandum of Agreement is clear evidence that our work is paying off. I want to thank Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Congressman Keating, and the Biden-Harris administration for their partnership to make this critical project a reality."

"The Cape Cod Canal bridges are a lifeline for every single person who lives or works on the Cape, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket and this agreement represents a major step toward ensuring these lifelines are safe and accessible for generations to come," said Congressman Bill Keating. "I want to recognize the leadership of the Biden-Harris and Healey-Driscoll administrations in bringing this agreement to fruition, as well as my partners in the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation who worked together in a bipartisan manner to ensure this $350 million was included in spending bills in both the House and Senate."    

The new MOA will help to further the current plan to begin construction on the Cape. The Sagamore Project is Phase 1 of the Cape Cod Bridges Program, which will rebuild both the Sagamore and the Bourne Bridges while also making investments in other transportation infrastructure along the Cape Cod Canal and expanding travel options for all members of the public, including those who walk and bike.

The Project will help to spur economic growth and development, improve safety and the quality of life for both the region and state. This project is critical to the Cape Cod economy and the bridge will be a connector to other assets on a local, state and national level.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has already secured a total of $1.72 billion in federal funding for the bridges replacement project. That includes $1 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) Bridge Investment Program and $372 million from the BIL’s Federal Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Program. It also includes $350 million secured by the Congressional delegation for the bridges in the Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, which was signed by President Biden. Governor Healey has also pledged $700 million in state support.

“This project has always been about partnership, and we thank the Healey Administration, the Congressional delegation and the Biden-Harris Administration for their unwavering support and funding,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We look forward to working with partners and stakeholders in the region to begin the next steps to making this project a reality.”

“The signing of the agreement is a crucial step for this transformational project,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “The MOA brings us another step closer to construction and beginning the necessary improvements this Administration has committed to both the Cape Cod community and the Commonwealth as a whole.”

"Today’s agreement is an exciting step forward in rebuilding the Cape Bridges, which will deliver critical transportation improvements for Cape Cod and significant benefits to the regional economy," said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. "Securing the $1.72 billion in federal funding for this project has been the culmination of collaboration across all levels of government, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration and our Congressional delegation to bring every federal dollar possible home."