The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must prioritize the Cape Cod bridges as they start to plan their initiatives for the following few years, in keeping with a number of members of the state’s congressional delegation.
“We want to be clear: The Bridges are federal assets and therefore replacing them remains a federal responsibility. Although Massachusetts owns the highway approaches to the Bridges and also bears a significant responsibility for completing this project, the Corps cannot avoid its own financial responsibility” a letter from U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, in addition to U.S. Rep. Bill Keating to the Army Corps reads, partially.
The two senators and consultant from Cape Cod wrote to the federal infrastructure company on the finish of January and following the announcement the funding required to exchange the 2 bridges spanning the Cape Cod Canal had been denied by the Department of Transportation for a second time.
The Bourne and Sagamore bridges, constructed by USACE in 1935, have been deemed higher fitted to substitute than restore in 2020. Since then MassDOT has “has spent considerable time, energy and funds to support replacing the bridges” within the hope that the federal authorities would meet them within the center.
The price ticket of $3.98 billion might have one thing to do with the January announcement the plan can be handed over for funding. Boston Rep. Stephen Lynch has urged it may very well be completed for about half that value. Markey, Warren and Keating appear to agree the Army Corps must attempt more durable when asking for cash.
“We are particularly concerned that the application did not identify all funding sources for the project. We strongly urge the Corps to address this shortcoming and identify all sources of funding for this project — including significant funds from the Corps — in fiscal 2023,” they wrote. “We will continue to do our part in Washington on behalf of the Commonwealth, but the Corps — with MassDOT’s assistance — is responsible for submitting more competitive grant applications in fiscal 2023.”
The lawmakers additionally wrote to MassDOT, saying that the state’s transportation company “retains significant responsibility for the planning and grant process needed to obtain significant funding for the project through the USDOT. We are deeply disappointed that these efforts were unsuccessful during the previous administration.”
Markey advised the Herald Wednesday that not changing the bridges — a prospect which USACE estimates would value $775 million over the following 50 years — is just not an choice and that the planners must provide you with a greater submission.
“The Bourne and Sagamore bridges are a lifeline to the Cape and part of the economic lifeblood of the entire Commonwealth. By doubling down with an even stronger financial commitment to the project, the Army Corps of Engineers can put their best foot forward in securing a federal grant as part of the next round of funding later this year,” he mentioned in an emailed assertion.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”