Cape Canal Task Force Begins Works

MassDOT representatives met with the Canal Area Regional Traffic Task Force today for the first Task Force Meeting.  A review of the proposed overall work timeline and task force mission statement were the first orders of business.   

The first Task Force Meeting comes one week after its creation due to the intense interest and need for quick improvements in plans for traffic congestion related to the Canal bridges.  MassDOT and the Cape Cod Commission will collect data on the existing traffic conditions on the canal area roadways during December and January so that the data can be used to recommend improvement projects before construction on the Sagamore bridge begins again in the spring. 

The proposed task force mission statement: To reduce traffic congestion on the Bourne and Sagamore bridges and the connecting roadways through the implementation of cost-effective transportation improvements that will help support the economic and personal well-being of Cape Cod residents and visitors. 

View the Army Corps bridge work information and traffic alerts.

Comments

[Andrew Stamer]

I posted a link to the Bourne Bridge construction on our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/CorpsNewEngland, and got a question that I think is in related to your agency as lead of the Cape Cod Regional Task Force.

The query is: "IS there any chance of getting signage for drivers coming from Rte 25 and from Buzzards Bay to know they should merge?"

Am I correct that you would be able to handle this query?

[Glenn Cannon]

The comment writer should also be aware that the Army Corp (the agency responsible for bridge repairs)plans on ending all bridge work before the summer season and resuming work in the fall of 2010.
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MassDOT Responds: Thanks Glenn. And both lanes now open for the winter on the Sagamore Bridge. Canal Area Task Force will focus on traffic solutions.

[Richard Whalen]

December and January a low usage months for the bridges. July and August is when everyone experiences congestion. Data collected at the wrong time will lead to erroneous conclusions and an inadequate "solution."
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MassDOT Responds: Thank you for your comment.
The reason we are collecting data in December and January is the short timeline. We need to collect information soon so that we can make an educated decision on what short-term improvements should be implemented by March 2010. Our planners are aware of the seasonal fluctuations in traffic and can adjust for that with historical data that we collect on an on-going basis.