The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced on May 7 a new milestone in the Cape Cod Bridges Program with the publication of a Request for Letters of Interest from qualified design and construction firms for the Sagamore Bridge replacement project.
Letters of Interest are due by May 27 at noon. Following this, MassDOT will issue a Request for Qualifications and then a Request for Proposals, which will result in the selection of a design-build team and issuance of a Notice to Proceed by late 2027. Construction on the new Sagamore Bridge is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2027-2028.
According to Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, “Delivering essential transportation projects in a timely manner, on time and on budget is one way we can best serve the communities and residents that rely on a sound transportation system. Engaging with industry and potential bidders demonstrates our commitment towards replacing the Sagamore Bridge. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is investing in transportation needs that benefit Cape Cod’s 230,000 year-round residents and more than five million visitors, create thousands of jobs supporting local businesses, and serve as an economic lifeline for those who work in the region.”
Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said, “The Sagamore Bridge and Bourne Bridge replacement are some of the most important infrastructure initiatives in the country, and today’s announcement marks a major milestone in advancing the Healey–Driscoll Administration’s efforts to get this project done. By issuing this Letter of Interest, we are setting the stage for a competitive procurement that will bring forward innovative solutions and help deliver a safer, more reliable connection to Cape Cod.”
The Cape Cod Bridges Project is led by MassDOT in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Federal Highway Administration. It aims to provide new crossings over the Cape Cod Canal to replace both federally owned bridges—the nearly 90-year-old Sagamore and Bourne Bridges—which are currently the only roadway connections between Cape Cod and mainland Massachusetts. The first phase includes replacing the Sagamore Bridge along with realignments to Route 6 and Route 3, reconstruction of local roadways, new bicycle and pedestrian pathways along both bridges as well as along the canal. MassDOT has applied for over $1 billion in federal grant funds toward replacing Bourne Bridge.
The scope also covers bridge construction, traffic management during construction phases, stormwater improvements, environmental permitting compliance, utility coordination, stakeholder engagement, as well as ongoing environmental review under state and federal requirements. More information can be found according to the official roster page.
