at Tech Council’s First Friday on March 6th
February 27, 2026 (Cape Cod, MA) – The Cape Cod Technology Council will welcome Cape Cod Commission Deputy Director Steven Tupper to talk about the $4.5 billion project to replace the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges at its next First Friday on March 6th, 7:30-9 am, at Cape Cod Community College.
“This is certainly a once-in-a-generation project from the transportation side of things. I don’t think the Cape has seen anything bigger,” Tupper said. “Everyone has some sort of connection to these bridges and what they mean to our individual and collective future of the region. Whether you know a little or a lot about the bridge replacement, next Friday’s talk is a great opportunity to get up to speed on these projects Everyone will learn something new.”
“We are excited to welcome Steven to the Tech Council to provide an important update on a project that will have widespread ramifications on transportation, infrastructure, tourism, and our economy,” said Tech Council Executive Director Michael White. “While we are still a few years away from the start of the project, education and awareness is critical to understand the timeline moving forward and what these new bridges will mean to the Cape.”
Tupper’s talk will look at the history of the bridges, the process to determine the fate of the structures, the timeline for the projects moving forward, and the engineering and construction technologies being used for the bridge replacements. He will also examine what is at stake for the Cape if the projects do not move forward.
“This talk is also an opportunity for people to ask questions, especially if anyone has any burning questions around the project,” Tupper said.
Both bridges were constructed in 1935 and are considered functionally obsolete. The Sagamore Bridge replacement, estimated to cost $2.13 billion, is slated to occur first. All funding for this project is in place with the state committing $700 million to the project and $1.72 billion in federal funding secured through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance [Mega] Program and Bridge Investment Program.
Tupper said the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are currently working through federal permitting and finalizing the preliminary design for the Sagamore Bridge.
Construction on the Sagamore Bridge is not slated to begin until late 2027 or early 2028. The entire project will take roughly a decade to complete although the new bridge will be ready to accept southbound traffic by fall 2033. The existing Sagamore Bridge is set to be demolished at some point in late 2033 or early 2034.
While the Army Corps of Engineers currently owns both bridges, the state will assume ownership of the new structures once they are fully completed. Funding for the Bourne Bridge replacement has not yet been fully secured.
Tupper, who has been on staff at the Commission since 2011, said the regional entity has a critical role in the project, serving in an advisory and regional planning capacity focused on advancing for regional transportation, environmental, and economic priorities. It also provides technical expertise and regional data to inform project development, supports public outreach efforts, and has representation on the Cape Cod Bridges Advisory Group.
About Cape Cod Technology Council
Founded in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, the Cape Cod Technology Council, Inc. is a membership-based, events-oriented nonprofit that promotes technology and its understandings on Cape Cod, the Islands, and in Southeastern Massachusetts. The Council’s work includes supporting the direction of development of the technology infrastructure in the region to advance the growth, effectiveness, and competitiveness of member organizations; assist in the technology education for the advancement of its members as well as future generations through a variety of programs; and provide unique, meaningful, and topical presentations, discussions, forums, and events focused on technology. To learn more about the Technology Council, visit www.cctechcouncil.org.