Climate Change Could Destroy Iconic Falmouth Road In 30 Years

FALMOUTH, MA — Surf Drive, one of Falmouth's most iconic coastal roads, faces severe risk from climate change and may have to be abandoned within 30 years, according to a new report. Last Thursday, a group of coastal engineers from the Woods Hole Group presented their study and predicted that rising sea levels and flooding will ravage Surf Drive Beach and other coastal areas along the road.

Woods Hole Group officials told WCAI the town needs to spend the next 10 years taking action to combat climate change. Elise LeDac, a coastal scientist with the group, recommended bolstering the road by replenishing sand dunes and beaches. LeDuc also said the town should enact a temporary protection of the Woods Hole sewer main.

"There are sections of the road that don’t even have any dune. It literally goes road, beach, water," Le Duc said.

Town officials said they are accepting public comments until Sept. 25. Comments should be emailed to jennifer.lincoln@falmouth.gov. The Woods Hole Group's recommendations are expected to be presented at a select board meeting in October.

For more on this story, check out WCAI.