Old Bridges Take Big Toll On Local Economy

A new report highlights the adverse economic impact of repairs to the aging bridges that connect Cape Cod to the Massachusetts mainland.

Among the findings of the Cape Cod Commission: the 53-day maintenance project on the Sagamore Bridge last spring caused significant disruption of traffic with an estimated 10 million dollars in travel time delays.

A second project on the Bourne Bridge in the fall lasted 46 days, with an estimated 4 million dollars in costs.

The commission is seeking federal funding to replace the bridges, both of which are 90 years old, with a projected cost of more than 4 billion dollars.

(Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)