MassDOT outlines canal-bridges process as public raises concerns over bike, pedestrian planning

MassDOT officials and staff from the Cape Cod Commission updated the Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization on March 27 about ongoing public meetings and next steps for the study of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges, while a member of the public urged federal review after saying the program is not developing bicycle and pedestrian facilities in parallel with roadway design.

Stephen Topher of Cape Cod Commission staff told the MPO the MassDOT-led study has held multiple public meetings and posted a Public Involvement Plan and FAQs at mass.gov/capebridges. He said MassDOT did not win a first-round discretionary grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law but is preparing for future rounds; Topher noted "the $350,000,000 has been included in President Biden's budget proposal" and that language in the proposal references "a commitment up to $600,000,000 to go to the Army Corps for the bridge program," adding that those figures remain part of a budget proposal and are not a funding commitment.

A member of the public, John York, said the program's meeting materials and conceptual schematics show detailed roadway plans but "they're not including bicycle and pedestrian to the same level as they're including automobile or motorist functions of the roadways." York said MassDOT program staff told him they were deferring bike and pedestrian details "because we want to leave them until later," a practice York argued conflicts with Federal Highway Administration guidance that bike and pedestrian facilities be developed in parallel rather than as an afterthought.

Pamela Hasner, representing MassDOT at the meeting, said district staff had been present at recent outreach and that "it's my understanding...the Healthy Transportation Directive and all of our internal and external requirements are planned to be met, but not everything is shown at every meeting." The MPO chair and staff said they would follow up with MassDOT and Federal Highway officials and offered the member of the public a staff contact to provide more details.

MassDOT also told the MPO the study plans to develop an advisory group in spring, hold additional open houses, and submit environmental (NEPA) paperwork in May. Topher reminded drivers of ongoing Sagamore Bridge maintenance that is restricted to two lanes and said the Army Corps and MassDOT are coordinating to monitor traffic impacts during the maintenance period.

The MPO did not take a formal action on the canal-bridges study at the meeting; staff said they will report back after checking whether MassDOT's posted Public Involvement Plan has completed Federal Highway review and whether program materials reflect FHWA expectations for bicycle and pedestrian treatments.

The MPO chair asked staff to follow up with MassDOT and FHWA and to contact the commenter with results. The next public meeting on Sagamore Bridge connections was scheduled for March 29 and study materials remain available on mass.gov/capebridges.