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Sagamore dissatisfaction: O'Leary sends follow up letter to US Army Corps of Engineers

Letter is follow up to one sent September 23, 2009 by all the Cape's delegates

Wednesday, Senator Robert O'Leary's Office sent a letter to the US Army Corps of Engineers regarding the work presently being done on the Sagamore Bridge.  The letter serves as a follow up to one sent and signed by all of the Cape's delegates on September 23, 2009

“I am worried about what this will do to weekend tourism on the Cape.  Our Fall festivals and other events on Cape Cod rely on people to come over the bridge to attend.  Our guest houses and restaurants depend on good Fall business, and I am concerned for them.” - Senator Robert O'Leary

According to the Senator's Office, only one of the requests made by the delegates was addressed. That request being a 20 hour work day increased to 24 hours.  Drivers are still fighting a significant wait while crossing the bridge.

In his second letter, O'Leary asks that all the initial requests including a review of the rate of construction be addressed immediately and that all findings and efforts be made public.

State and local officials including the MA Highway Department have no control over the project schedule or the work currently being done on the Sagamore Bridge.

The Army Corps has worked with local and state politicians, officials and chamber leaders by opening an extra lane on weekend days in order to alleviate heavier visitor traffic flows. It has also changed the original project schedule from working through as much of the winter then starting up in the spring of 2010, to ceasing work in December then starting up in spring 2010 and possibly finishing in fall of 2010.  But drivers are still faced with congestion and unacceptable waits.

In addition to his letter to Farrell McMillan of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Senator released the following statement:

“I recognize the importance of maintaining safe bridges and other transportation infrastructures but the fact that work was increased when we asked and not from the beginning makes me wonder what other changes could be instituted to speed up this process that haven’t happened yet. Our residents are faced with multi-hour delays on otherwise short commutes; our students are being delayed in getting to school and are having to cut the school day short in some instances.  I know that our Cape businesses are being harmed from tourist dollars not coming over the bridge in the crucial shoulder-season.” 

“I am worried about what this will do to weekend tourism on the Cape.  Our Fall festivals and other events on Cape Cod rely on people to come over the bridge to attend.  Our guest houses and restaurants depend on good Fall business, and I am concerned for them.” 

We owe the quarter million people on the Cape some evidence that this terrible inconvenience is absolutely necessary, and that it is happening as quickly as possible. We’re attempting to stimulate the economy by delaying people’s commute to work and keeping tourists from coming over the bridge.  What kind of stimulus is that?”

The letter, dated Thursday, was also copied to Governor Deval Patrick and Transporation Secretary James Aloisi.  Read it in its entirety here.

16 comments
Blog posts and comments are entirely the thoughts and ideas of the people who write them and in no way represent the views of CapeCodToday.com, eCape, Inc., or its employees or owners.

10/08/09 @ 6:55 pm
capewatchdog [Member] writes:
Although the fans of O'Leary seem to be sliding down the slope as well, one has to wonder. Most issue evolve around the almighty dollar. Another staunch Democrat, Congressman Delahunt I'm sure would have some impact with a little tweek or insinuation about funding cuts to the Army Corp for the lack of study done relating to work times. To insinuate that no one has control over work schedules is an insult to the intelligence of anyone with any knowledge of construction. RFP's , as well as bids, followed by their awards can be written specifying work times and schedules. Many such contracts specify hours of work and are priced by the recipient of the contract accordingly. More lip service is all your going to see and get, speaking of Delahunt, he has been silent on several issues as of late. Must not be considering any public exposure, you know how crazy those Tea Party people are ! What say you Mr. Delahunt or Mr. Forrest? Watch those votes and back room deals people are keeping tabs!
10/08/09 @ 7:59 pm
coatuet [Member] writes:
The Army COrp clearly stataed when the flyover was under construction that there was going to be this work done on the Sagamore Bridge. Plenty of time for everyone to get ready. Apparently the good Senator did not get the memo.
10/08/09 @ 9:48 pm
karent2 [Member] writes:
Lip service, thats all this is. he knows nothing can be done and the ACoE isn't going to listen to him. Whats the alternative? No work on the bridge? Draw the work out over a longer period of time by working less hours daily, meaning more costs? Whens the last time this extensive of a job was done on the bridge?
10/09/09 @ 7:44 am
permoc [Member] writes:
A do nothing effort by our do nothing senator. At least do nothing Atsalis is smart enough to keep his mouth closed while doing nothing
10/09/09 @ 7:54 am
lottabaloney [Member] writes:
And if they don't satisfy him, he'll fire off ANOTHER letter! That'll show 'em.

They're only working 20 hours a day, for crissakes.
10/09/09 @ 8:14 am
jakeskid [Member] writes:
At the risk of being repetitious, the solution is to open the lanes in the morning and evening and extend the length of project The excuse that it is to cold to work in the winter is a bald face lie.
10/09/09 @ 8:16 am
jakeskid [Member] writes:
If they only work 20 hours, why not open the lane for the 4 Morning and evening high traffic hours.
10/09/09 @ 10:03 am
ernie haigs [Member] writes:
My issue is that the ACoE is not doing anything to manage the traffic. They just closed the lanes and left it a free-for-all. Can't someone work with the ACoE and devise a traffic management plan that possibly closes some merge lanes and/or with flagmen working the merge lanes to have the traffic flow more smoothly? You can't just close lanes and let everyone have at it.
10/09/09 @ 10:06 am
ernie haigs [Member] writes:
My issue is that the ACoE is not doing anything to manage the traffic. They just closed the lanes and left it a free-for-all. Can't someone work with the ACoE and devise a traffic management plan that possibly closes some merge lanes and/or with flagmen working the merge lanes to have the traffic flow more smoothly? You can't just close lanes and let everyone have at it.
10/09/09 @ 10:30 am
emerson02 [Member] writes:
This problem falls on the lap of DO NOTHING DELAHUNT!! He's our federal rep. Where is he and why doesn't he do something? I'm sure there are ways to make this traffic problem easier: more crews, better traffic control.etc.
10/09/09 @ 12:40 pm
karent2 [Member] writes:
The cold actually can play a factor in it. Driving bolts and scraping metal isn't a problem but the paint needs to be applied in warmish weather I would suppose and the pavement would need to be laid down hot. Overall, it should have been an ongoing process like they do with much larger bridges like the Golden Gate.
10/09/09 @ 3:06 pm
wtff [Member] writes:
got to be Bush`s fault
10/09/09 @ 3:11 pm
possee [Member] writes:
wtff [Member] writes:
got to be Bush`s fault

It is! just ask many of the commenters here.

possee
10/10/09 @ 10:08 am
johnh [Member] writes:
Without laying blame, I have removed the Cape from my travel plans for the duration of this project. I've made three trips within the last 5 weeks all have been vexing at best getting back over. I mention this only as yesterday we had guests who wished to visit and they also said they would advise others to avoid the problem. We discussed the project not in terms of what could be done but rather the fact that it may very well damage many business locations that are no doubt already struggling with other economic issues.

At best it's very troubling. I wish all of the business owners well. Hope to see you all after work is completed.

10/10/09 @ 10:35 am
CapeCrusader [Member] writes:
Hey Cape I live here on Cape & I will tell you a simple plan of attack for future endeavors. At 5 am on any given Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday you could walk your entire family across either bridge right down the middle lane and not see a soul. Not to mention the beautiful sunrises you can see at that time of the day,. Bring your camera
10/10/09 @ 6:22 pm
bopo [Member] writes:
I was on vaca for the last 2 weeks. Made a trip to CC, traded paint with a driver unable to figure out the alternation of vehicles and called it the end. The roads in Cow Hampshire are much smoother anyway. Bye-bye.
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