Gov. Healy announces nearly $1 billion federal grant to rebuild Sagamore Bridge; total federal funding now about $1.72 billion

Governor Healy announced onstage that the administration "won a nearly $1,000,000,000 grant, federal grant for the Cape Cod Bridges," saying the award brings federal funding to roughly $1.72 billion and that the Commonwealth has committed nearly $700 million in state funds to support the project. The announcement names the Sagamore Bridge as the first replacement priority, with work to follow on the Bourne Bridge.

The governor said the administration set up a dedicated federal funds and infrastructure office and worked with local officials, the state’s congressional delegation and federal agencies to assemble the application. "We're going to rebuild the Sagamore Bridge," she said, and stressed that the project will include modern design, environmental measures, electric-vehicle charging and multiuse paths for cyclists, walkers and people using wheelchairs.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Ed Markey credited the Biden administration’s infrastructure funding and long-term advocacy in Washington for making the award possible. "This money didn't fall out of the sky," Sen. Warren said, describing a two-part effort to both create the federal funding and win it for this project. Sen. Markey described the award as the largest single competitive bridge grant Massachusetts has ever received.

U.S. Rep. Bill Keating and local leaders emphasized the bridges’ regional economic role, citing tourism and workforce flows between the Cape and the mainland. Keating said the replacement will support thousands of jobs and protect access to islands such as Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket that depend on the corridor.

Transportation officials provided preliminary timing and delivery details. Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said the state is in a design-and-permitting phase and described the contract as a design-build procurement: the state has advanced design to roughly 25 percent and plans to go to procurement for a design-build team in early 2026. Gulliver estimated an 8–10 year construction period that state officials expect to refine during procurement; the governor said the administration is aiming to have "shovels in the ground by no later than 2027."

Officials also said the program will be carried out under a project labor agreement with unions intended to secure fair wages, safe working conditions and training opportunities for local and diverse workers. The governor and other speakers said the construction program will create more than 9,000 jobs, spanning contractors, manufacturers and suppliers.

Next steps identified by state officials include continuing design and permitting work, advancing environmental reviews, finalizing procurement documents and beginning design-build selection in early 2026; state leaders said they will continue to coordinate with federal partners, the Army Corps of Engineers and local communities as the program moves from planning into construction.

The administration thanked the congressional delegation, local officials, DOT staff and consultant teams for their roles in the award. Officials closed the announcement by reiterating the administration’s commitment to community partnerships and workforce development as the project moves forward.