Navigating Island Life: When Bridges are Essential for Survival
The Islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard have a combined year-round population of around 35,000 people, with numbers growing seasonally each summer to an estimated 200,000. A transportation network of ferries and roadways move people, goods, and services to the islands, with a heavy reliance on the Cape Cod Bridges for everything from daily workforce needs to restaurant supplies to flowers for destination weddings. On this episode of Bridge the Gap, we welcome Peter Burke (Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce) and Betsy Rich (Hy-Line Cruises) for a deep dive on how the bridges make daily life on the islands possible.
We’ll also hear from Luisa Paiewonsky, Executive Director of Megaprojects Delivery for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), about significant developments in the Sagamore Bridge project, including the recent record of decision received from the Federal Highways Administration.
Bridge the Gap is a podcast series presented by the Cape & Islands Bridges Coalition (CIBC) in partnership with the Davenport Companies and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. The podcast shares information and insights related to the planned replacement of the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges, highlighting the critical role these two bridges play in both the regional and statewide economies.
Show Notes:
- Learn more about our guests’ work by visiting their websites: Hy-Line Cruises and Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce
- Find the latest updates on the Cape Cod Bridges Replacement project: MassDOT Cape Cod Bridges Program
- Understand the vital role of the bridges in connecting and serving 230,000 year-round residents (plus 35,000 island residents!), thousands of businesses, and millions of annual visitors: Cape Cod Bridges Replacement: An Urgent Need
- Explore the mission of the Cape & Islands Bridges Coalition (CIBC) and its role in shaping Cape Cod’s infrastructure future: Replacing the Cape Cod Bridges - Cape & Islands Bridges Coalition
