Overview
January 20, 2023: the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) formally agreed to serve as lead federal agency for the project.
August 11, 2023: FHWA allowed the project to proceed into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The Project is also subject to review under Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), 301 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 11.00, as it exceeds mandatory Environmental Notification Form and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) thresholds.
April 28, 2023: MassDOT initiated environmental review by filing of an ENF with the Secretary of the Massachusetts EEA.
May 10, 2023: The ENF was published in the Environmental Monitor.
July 7, 2023: The Secretary of the EEA issued a Certificate on the ENF including a scope of work for the Draft EIR.
As a designated major infrastructure project, the Project will be reviewed under the One Federal Decision (OFD) framework enacted through the Infrastructure, Investments, and Jobs Act (IIJA) that establishes coordinated, transparent, and timely processes for conducting environmental reviews and making authorization decisions. The IIJA, signed into law, as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), modified the NEPA environmental review process.
The following agencies, which have jurisdiction by law or special expertise regarding any potential environmental impact associated with the Project, are serving as Cooperating Agencies in the EIS development process:
- US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- US Coast Guard (USCG)
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Massachusetts State Historical Commission (State Historic Preservation Officer)
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP/Southeast Regional Office)
- Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game
- Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) / Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA)
- Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
- National Marine Fisheries Service/Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (NOAA/NMFS/GARFO)
FHWA published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the Cape Cod Bridges Program in the Federal Register on February 29, 2024. Publication of this NOI formally began the NEPA process and initiates the scoping period to solicit public and agency comments on any element of the Project. A Supplementary NOI Document, providing additional Project background and information to support the NOI, was available for public review in the Federal Register.
September 10, 2025: The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the replacement of the Cape Cod Bridges was published in the Environmental Monitor. The DEIR was filed with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office and represents a significant milestone in the state environmental review process.
Although the original intent was to submit a single, joint environmental document addressing both state (MEPA) and federal (National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA) requirements, MassDOT opted to file the DEIR first, followed by the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) under NEPA. This phased approach intends to provide the public with ample opportunity to review and comment on each document individually, ensuring a thorough and transparent environmental review process.
November 21, 2025: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the replacement of the Cape Cod Bridges under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is made publicly available. A 45-day public comment period is initiated, and public comments are accepted through January 5, 2026.
The public is invited to visit the interactive summary site to view the DEIS in an interactive format, learn about proposed improvements, and review key findings. A PDF version of the chapters, sections, and appendices that comprise the DEIS is available online. Public comments can be submitted through the interactive summary site or through the online comment form.
Hard copies of the DEIS are available at Bourne Public Library, Sandwich Public Library, and the MassDOT Transportation Building at 10 Park Plaza in Boston.
A DEIS public hearing will be held at the Admiral’s Hall at Mass Maritime Academy on December 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. At this public hearing, MassDOT will provide information and key takeaways and accept public comments.
A combined Final EIS/Record of Decision (ROD) Document is expected to be issued in early 2026. A Notice of Availability of the combined Final EIS/ROD will be published in the Federal Register, announcing FHWA’s decision and conclusion of the NEPA process.