Money For New Cape Bridges Omitted From Trump Budget

BOURNE, MA — The money needed to replace the Sagamore and Bourne bridges was not included in President Donald Trump's fiscal 2021 budget or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' fiscal 2020 work plan. The omission caused U.S. Senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Rep. William Keating , all Democrats, to send a letter to Washington expressing "deep dissapointment" with the exclusion and calling it "inexplicable" and "misguided."

"We are greatly disturbed by this omission of funds for the Cape Cod Canal bridges and demand answers as to how the USACE plans to finance the replacement of such vital bridges that have long outlived their usefulness," the legislators wrote in the letter to Mick Mulvaney, a member of the Trump’s cabinet as director of the office of management and budget, and Rickey James, assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works.

Last October, the Army Corps presented a draft that called for the two 84-year-old Cape bridges to be replaced. Army Corps officials estimated the bridges would cost about $1.1 billion to replace, but argued it would be more cost effective than repairing them. Officials had said the work could start as early as 2025.

Although no money was in the budget for the bridge replacement project, $12.4 million from Trump's budget was allocated for ongoing operations and maintenance on Cape Cod Canal. The Army Corps' plan also allocated $11.9 million for the navigation around the canal, Corps officials told the Cape Cod Times. Officials also said a final report on rehabilitation projects are expected to be submitted this month.

"At this point we're focusing on completing the Major Rehabilitation Report and submitting it to our headquarters for approval,” Beth Gosselin, a spokesperson with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told the Cape Cod Times. "Until we have an approved report, we can’t move to the budgeting process. At this time, we are funded to continue to maintain the bridges in order to ensure the continued safety of the traveling public."

But Markey, Warren and Keating said they previously requested a "significant down payment" so that if bridge replacement was approved this spring, the project could begin immediately to avoid increased costs and delays.

“We are concerned that this decision reflects a failure to understand the urgency of the situation for the Cape & Islands," the letter read. "The residents of this region cannot wait multiple years for this project to begin. The Bourne and Sagamore are not only vital links to the beating heart of the Massachusetts tourism economy, but critical evacuation routes in the event of an emergency. Two new structures are needed without delay in order to protect both the local economy and public safety. We are committed to a full replacement of the Canal Bridges and will fight in Congress to secure the funding this region needs."