Superintendent of the Cape Cod National Seashore Brian Carlstrom.
EASTHAM – The Cape Cod National Seashore has a number of deferred maintenance projects but $9.7 million in federal money is expected to make a dent on their maintenance list.
The money will go towards the 8 projects on the Seashore’s list, including the $3.3 million construction of a 208 space parking lot north of Herring Cove Beach, which is slated to begin this winter.
“It’s going to be a really exciting opportunity for people to come out and enjoy in ways that they have in the past and new ways we hope they will in the future,” said Seashore Superintendent Brian Carlstrom.
$2.2 million will also be spent to upgrade the Head of the Meadow Bike Trail in North Truro and $1.2 million will be spent on structural and safety repairs to Highland Light in North Truro.
The Light closed on Sunday and will remain closed all next year.
“It’s going to be getting a lot of attention, specifically at the ventilation systems and the outer coatings to refurbish it so that it’s going to be in better condition for the next 10 to 15 years,” said Carlstrom.
In the south end of the Seashore, the design phase of the new $2.1 million Nauset Light Beach bathhouse and parking lot reconfiguration will begin soon and the antique barn at the Capt. Edward Penniman House in Eastham will be repainted for $500,000.
Funding comes after more than five years of efforts by Seashore staff to complete and submit application documentation.
Despite the federal money, the cost of the Seashore’s maintenance continues to grow, with a total of $45 million.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
About CapeCod.com NewsCenter
