Massachusetts
Feds award Massachusetts nearly $400M to replace Sagamore Bridge
The Biden administration awarded Massachusetts nearly $400 million Friday to replace one of the Cape Cod bridges deemed “functionally obsolete” and no longer meeting the needs of the traveling public.
U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Bill Keating said the federal Department of Transportation approved an application from the state and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for $372 million to start replacing the Sagamore Bridge.
“This funding is a critical down payment on the effort to replace the Sagamore and Bourne bridges and a recognition that replacing the aging bridges will bring immense economic, environmental, and social benefits to Cape Cod, the Islands, and the entire Commonwealth,” the trio said in a statement.
Both the nearly 90-year-old Bourne and Sagamore Bridges are the only roadways leading onto Cape Cod, and a March 2020 report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found the “most cost effective” means of providing safe and reliable crossings would be providing two new highway bridges.
State and federal lawmakers have long sought federal funding to replace the aging structures, and Gov. Maura Healey said the money awarded this week was a “huge win” for Massachusetts. The Healey administration this year has applied for $1.45 billion in federal funding to replace the bridges.
“Our administration said from day one that we were going to compete aggressively for federal funding to bring home to support crucial infrastructure projects in Massachusetts, like the Cape Cod Bridges project,” she said in a statement.
More money could be on the way. A U.S. Senate appropriations bill this year included $350 million for the project, money that was also included in President Joe Biden’s budget proposal. Additional grant applications are still pending.
Officials have estimated the cost to replace both bridges stretches up to $4.5 billion, and a report prepared earlier this year by Warren, Markey, and Keating suggested not upgrading the bridges would be “catastrophic.”
“The current condition of the bridges is untenable, and without replacements, problems will only grow,” the October report said.
Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt said the $372 million is “key” to the overall effort to replace the bridges.
“We could not be happier for this award, which is essential for supporting the economy of Cape Cod and surrounding communities and ensuring safe and reliable travel for residents, workers, and millions of annual visitor,” Tibbits-Nutt said in a statement. “It presents a powerful opportunity to modernize the design to improve safety, mobility, and resiliency; increase economic vitality; and improve access through better pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure.”
Massachusetts
Search underway for missing woman Owen Kasozi in Beverly, last seen walking dog on Christmas Eve
BEVERLY – A search is underway in Massachusetts for missing woman Owen Kasozi, who police say is “possibly endangered.” Police said she was last seen on Tuesday at about 3 p.m. near the JC Phillips Nature Preserve in Beverly.
Her family tells WBZ-TV she was walking her dog at the time.
I-Team sources say police are looking into reports that Kasozi was walking or running after her dog when she went missing. A dog believed to be Kasozi’s was found wet in Topsfield, and her car was found nearby.
A Massachusetts State Police helicopter was helping to search the area around 801 Cabot St. in Beverly on Wednesday. Anyone who has seen Kasozi or has information is asked to call Beverly police at 978-922-1212.
Massachusetts
What’s open and closed in Massachusetts on Christmas Day?
It’s Christmas Day! Time to open presents, be with loved ones and celebrate the beauty of giving. Even on Christmas, there are still a few places you can go for last-minute provisions. But can you go to the bank or post office or catch a bus?
Here’s what is open and closed on Dec. 25, 2024.
Government
City and town offices: Closed
State offices: Closed
Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed
State and local courts: Closed
Federal courts: Closed
Finance
Banks: Closed. Most ATMs will remain open.
Stock market: Both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed.
Alcohol and recreational drugs
Liquor stores: Open
Cannabis dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to the respective cannabis store as to whether they choose to be open or closed on Christmas Day.
Convenience stores and gas stations
Gas stations are allowed to be open on holidays, according to Massachusetts labor laws.
The following gas stations and adjoining convenience stores should be open on Christmas:
- BP
- Citgo
- Circle K
- Cumberland Farms
- Exxon Mobil
- Gulf
- Irving Oil
- Neon Marketplace
- Season’s Corner Market
- Sunoco
- Shell
- Speedway
- 7-Eleven
Shopping
Auburn Mall: Closed
Holyoke Mall: Closed
Hampshire Mall: Closed
Eastfield Mall: Closed
Natick Mall: Closed
Big Y: Closed
Stop & Shop: Closed
Market Basket: Closed
Price Rite: Closed
Star Market: Closed
Walmart: Closed
Target: Closed
Wegmans: Closed
Safeway: Open
Costco: Closed
CVS: Open
Walgreens: Closed
Aldi: Closed
Whole Foods: Closed
Trader Joe’s: Closed
Parcel services
Post offices: Closed
FedEx: Closed
UPS: Closed
Transportation
Lowell RTA: Lowell RTA will be closed
MBTA: Subway, bus and The RIDE will run on a Sunday schedule. Meanwhile, the Commuter Rail will run on a weekend schedule.
Merrimack Valley RTA: Buses won’t be running
MetroWest RTA: Buses won’t be running
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Buses won’t be running
Worcester RTA: Buses won’t be running
Massachusetts
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