November 16, 2021

CAPE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION: Infrastructure bill establishes path forward for Cape Cod Canal Bridge Replacement Project

WASHINGTON, DC: On Monday afternoon, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Congressman Bill Keating were at the White House to join President Biden as he signed the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law.

“With investments to repair our roads and bridges, improve public transit & rail, expand broadband, and secure clean water for our children, the bipartisan infrastructure bill is a big win for Massachusetts communities,” said Warren, Markey and Keating. “For residents of Cape Cod & the Islands, this law could mean new opportunities to secure the required funds to replace the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges, which would ensure the continued operation of these critical roadways that power the region’s economy.”

Senators Warren and Markey and Congressman Keating have identified several provisions within the infrastructure package that could be targeted for the Canal Bridge Projects:

  • Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grants: $14 billion
  • Bridge Investment Grants: $12.5 billion
  • Nationally Significant Project Grants: $5 billion
  • Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE, formerly BUILD & TIGER) Grants: $7.5 billion

These provisions are on top of billions more in new funding made directly available to the Commonwealth and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help expand their resources for projects like this one.

“These four provisions represent nearly $40 billion in federal infrastructure funds that could be targeted for the Canal Bridge replacement project,” said Warren, Markey, and Keating. “A portion of these funds are only available because of the forward-thinking steps the Commonwealth took in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Army Corps of Engineers on the future of the bridges. The MOU between MassDOT and the ACOE ensures that the bridge replacement projects will be eligible for any funding opportunity.”

“Our fight to secure funding to replace these bridges is far from over, and thanks to President Biden and Congress, we have a clearer path forward toward the necessary replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges.”

 

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