Work on Sagamore Bridge Begins Tuesday

Steel repairs on the Sagamore Bridge spanning the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne, Mass., are scheduled to start, weather permitting, tomorrow, March 20, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials.

During the scheduled time for repair, travel over the Sagamore Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Traffic control will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through mid-to late-May (except for two weekends) to perform work above the road surface on the Sagamore Bridge. Motorists planning to use the Sagamore Bridge during this timeframe should be aware that travel delays are likely to occur during the morning and afternoon peak travel periods each day.

During the periods of Easter weekend, April 7-8, and Patriots Weekend, April 14-16, all equipment will be removed from the Sagamore Bridge and all lanes will be open to traffic. The Bourne Bridge will be fully open to traffic as well for these weekends.

The $8.5 million Sagamore Bridge and Bourne Bridge repair project involves the removal and replacement of structural steel secondary members, strengthening of existing structural steel members, replacement of structural fasteners, removal of selected existing welds, and strengthening of selected gusset plates. Completion of steel repairs is critical to maintaining the integrity of the bridges, vital components of the transportation system for the Cape, the Islands and southeastern Massachusetts. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2012.

Signage will keep motorists advised of travel restrictions. Accessing the Canal website (CapeCodCanal.US, then Bridge Alerts) will inform motorists of schedule changes. Those who want to be notified of changes to the work schedule can sign up for the Bridge Alerts email notifications. Send an email to: CapeCodCanalBridges@usace.army.mil with the subject title “Bridge Alerts.” An email alert is sent when there are major changes to the bridge work status or schedule.

The Corps will use Facebook and Twitter to give updates to the bridge work, as well as answer questions or concerns about the bridge repair work or its other activities in New England. For more information about the bridge repairs contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Public Affairs Office at 978-318-8238.