Commissioners Urge USDOT to Approve Funds for Bourne Bridge Replacement
Barnstable, MA | September 25, 2024 – Today the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners approved sending a letter to Secretary Buttigieg of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) expressing their strong support for federal funding to replace the Cape Cod Canal Bridges, specifically the most recent application of funds to replace the Bourne Bridge. The funds are being sought via joint applications from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) submitted in May 2024 and Bridge Investment Program (BIP) submitted in August 2024.
“With the Sagamore Bridge project funded and underway, we need to sustain our strong support for federal funding for the Bourne Bridge replacement. This is a very timely request, and we encourage all Select Boards to submit their own letters in support of this important project”, said Commissioner Mark Forest.
While the precise sum of the requested grants is unknown, the combined amount is believed to be on the same order of magnitude as Phase 1 (Sagamore Bridge replacement), which is over $1 billion. The Commissioners expressed their gratitude to Secretary Buttigieg, the Biden-Harris Administration, and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their continued support, and urged approval for funds requested to support Phase 2.
The Board also approved the execution of a $1.4M grant agreement to support with ARPA funds a portion of the construction costs for Cloverleaf, a 43-unit mixed-income rental housing project in Truro. The $39 million Cloverleaf project is being developed by Community Housing Resource, Inc. in partnership with Community Builders, Inc. Funding partners for this project include the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, County HOME funds, MASS Save, Mass Housing Partnership, and the Town of Truro.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD: Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Bethany Traverse, Communications Coordinator | (508) 375-6844 | bethany.traverse@capecod.gov
###
