The Bourne Bridge over the Cape Cod Canal.
BUZZARDS BAY – A meeting will be held on Thursday at Mass Maritime as the state Department of Transportation continues to explore the possibility of building a third bridge across the canal.
The new bridge would either be located next to the Sagamore Bridge or in the middle of the canal. MassDOT is conducting a study on those proposals.
“We’re looking forward to continuing the study and we’re hoping to attract folks who have an interest in this. We want to hear their thoughts and opinions and that will certainly help us steer this study going forward,” said MassDOT Spokesman Mike Verseckes
The state is looking at finding a private partner to help with financing a bridge. A new bridge would be tolled in order to recoup building costs.
Verseckes said the state understands the need to look at the future of the canal spans, with the aging Bourne and Sagamore bridges now 80 years old.
“It’s time I think we took a step in the direction of planning for the future with either an additional bridge or some sort of crossing that will reduce the impact folks feel either during the peak tourist season on the Cape and also when the existing bridges are undergoing repairs,” Verseckes said.
