Cape Cod MPO hears $2 billion-plus Sagamore Bridge estimate as team pursues federal bridge grants

Cape Cod Commission staff updated the MPO on progress for the Cape Cod Canal Bridges program and said the study team is pursuing federal discretionary grants while advancing environmental permitting and design work.

"The focus was for phase 1 of this project would be for seeking funding for the Sagamore Bridge portion of the project," Steven Tupper said. He reported that the advisory group discussed grant applications (INFRA and Mega programs) and that the study team intends to apply for the federal Bridge Investment Program now that a notice of funding opportunity is available. Tupper reported an estimated cost for the Sagamore Bridge phase of just over $2,000,000,000.

Staff described steps taken to refine cost and schedule assumptions, including a summer risk assessment intended to improve grant applications. Environmental permitting is underway; staff noted coordination/agency meetings this fall and a planned notice of intent in the federal Register in late 2023 or early 2024 to advance permitting for the entire program. The team also shared early multimodal goals and acknowledged significant topographic constraints: there is approximately a 120‑foot elevation difference between bridge abutments and nearby canal paths, which yields tradeoffs between grade and path length for bicycle/pedestrian connections.

No formal MPO action was taken; staff framed the briefing as an informational update and invited further public discussion as design and permitting proceed.