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Originally Posted by Canalman

From Cape Cod Times This Morning....

BOURNE - The Army Corps of Engineers met today with the Massachusetts Highway Department to discuss the results of their recent study. The study was conducted by both organizations to determine the plight of the Cape Cod Canal, it seems that the ever increasing tourist traffic is taking its toll on the aging bridges that connect Cape Cod to the mainland. Jeremy Santiago of the Army Corps of Engineers had this to say, "A total rebuild of the steel structures would be an astronomical expense."

The study conducted over the last three years tested the strength of the bridges (built in the 1930's), the volume of local traffic and the volume of boat traffic through the Canal. The weight of the study landed on the side of the motorist. Carl Bernhard of Acushnet Architectural Association conducted a case study on the life expectancy of the two bridges and had this to say, "The structures are old and the construction is old hat" said Bernhard, "With the volume of traffic going over these bridges these days, I give them 2 or 3 years before we see serious deterioration."

Needless to say, an agreement had to be reached, quickly. Then to add some urgency to the situation a tug ran aground in the Canal marking the 11th oil spill in the Canal over the last decade. PEW Oceans stepped in today saying that the damages caused by all of these minor spills almost outweighs that of the Buzzards Bay spill in 2003. The three organizations met in an emergency meeting this morning and preliminary voting called for the removal of the bridges and the filling of the historic Cape Cod Canal. "We know the history at stake here and we know that many will be saddened by our decision, but we feel that these drastic measures must be taken before something catastrophic happens" said Santiago. If passed by the Massachusetts legislature, the removal of the Bourne Bridge would be slated to begin on June 14, 2013 and the filling of the Canal would follow shortly thereafter.

Wow, think of the local jobs that would create. Anyone here know how to drive a dump truck?
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