Army Corps of Engineers wants both Cape Cod bridges replaced

[tovarisch]

I agree. Except for parts of Pittsfield and North Adams, the Berkshires are lovely and not run-down, and there is indeed a lot to do there (arts, music, museums, four-season recreation, and so on).

[robr2]

Originally Posted by tovarisch

The Coolidge Bridge (Hadley/Northampton) is now under construction again, in that they are creating a roundabout on the Northampton side. We locals are none too happy. However, I AM in support of the two new Cape bridges, if indeed they do time the work well.

There's no need to fill the entire canal. They could fill in the areas where two new highways could be built. They could leave open areas with low bridges for pleasure boats to still use it.

I'm sure it's not as simple as that and the engineers can tell us that.

[Cape Cod Todd]

Originally Posted by robr2

There's no need to fill the entire canal. They could fill in the areas where two new highways could be built. They could leave open areas with low bridges for pleasure boats to still use it.

I'm sure it's not as simple as that and the engineers can tell us that.

The tidal current that runs through the canal is incredible and narrowing it will only make it more dangerous.

I saw photos over the weekend of a cruise ship going through the canal. How exciting is that for the passengers and spectators to see such a large vessel navigate through but that is a rare occurrence. I still think to save costs with the new bridges they could be lowered.

Still the bridges are magical. There is a feeling that comes over one once they are crossed that we are somehow leaving the mad mad world behind us for a more easy going lifestyle that is never far from a beach. We would lose that magic if the canal was filled in.

Given the tidal power that moves through the canal everyday maybe a hydroelectric plant or plants would make sense?

[BostonBornMassMade]

Cape Cos is aging rapidly, the youth that are there are increasingly seasonal, drug addled or single. The shore is eroding, weather is becoming more volatile. School enrollment is declining at obscenely high rate. Population loss is occurring already and will greatly intensify once the boomers die off.

it makes ZERO sense to invest any money in the cape in anything that isn’t geared towards climate protection and preservation or attracting younger families. Zero.

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

Cape Cos is aging rapidly, the youth that are there are increasingly seasonal, drug addled or single. The shore is eroding, weather is becoming more volatile. School enrollment is declining at obscenely high rate. Population loss is occurring already and will greatly intensify once the boomers die off.

it makes ZERO sense to invest any money in the cape in anything that isn’t geared towards climate protection and preservation or attracting younger families. Zero.

That's why I mentioned the military aspect of it. Being able to move troops on and off the Cape in the event they need to do so. I thought that was the whole reason the Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of the bridges in the first place.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

That's why I mentioned the military aspect of it. Being able to move troops on and off the Cape in the event they need to do so. I thought that was the whole reason the Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of the bridges in the first place.

The ACE is in charge of the Cape Cod Canal and bridges as they took over the original canal in the late 19-teens. They widened and may it deeper in the 1930's. As such, they had to replace the drawbridge that was originally in place. AFAIK, there's no national defense reason for the ACE to run it.

[mdovell]

This reminds me of the Pilgrim plant and frankly there was and still is no way to evacuate the whole cape

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Those would be based on current trends, not future trends which of course cannot be predicted.

Point is a LOT can change in 41 years. I predict the Cape will gradually decline for a few more years, then bottom out or even start growing again eventually. It's valuable, desirable real estate. People will always WANT to be there.


As far as the Berkshires, not familiar enough with to really comment but I imagine likewise as the world gets smaller and smaller it will hold its appeal to enough people. And UNLIKE the Cape, there is PLENTY of land out there to develop no?


Just not buying it, sorry.

I think you’re missing the root cause of population decline on the Cape. Vacation home buyers and seasonal renters are increasingly affluent. The jobs on the cape are primarily low paying seasonal service sector jobs. They’re priced out of the housing market. If you’re sitting on a million of home equity with your metro Boston house, the cape looks cheap unless it’s waterfront. If you have a $25/hour seasonal job, you’re competing against that.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by robr2

There's no need to fill the entire canal. They could fill in the areas where two new highways could be built. They could leave open areas with low bridges for pleasure boats to still use it.

I'm sure it's not as simple as that and the engineers can tell us that.

I look at canal shipping traffic every day as it passes through Buzzards Bay. It’s a lot more than people here are saying. There is a steady stream of tugs and barges.