Climate-resilient solutions for low-lying roads presented at public meetings

Cape Cod Commission staff are working with all 15 Cape Cod communities to examine vulnerabilities in the roadway network and identify adaptation alternatives. The project employs state-of-the-art modeling and community engagement to identify and prioritize low-lying roads to target for coastal resiliency action.

The towns of Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Eastham, Truro, and Wellfleet are at the stage of the project that includes review of conceptual designs for high-priority road segments. In early March, the Cape Cod Commission began a series of virtual public meetings to present conceptual design alternatives created by the Woods Hole Group (WHG) to address vulnerable low-lying roadway segments, bridges, and culverts.

WHG has developed three potential adaptation solutions for two road segments in each participating town. The conceptual design solutions range from more traditional engineering solutions to green, nature-based approaches for each prioritized road segment.

The virtual workshops include information about the goals and objectives of the low-lying roads project and potential solutions to address coastal flooding at critical roadways in our communities. These workshops provide an opportunity to learn about adaptation solutions and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Workshops have been held in Eastham, Wellfleet, Bourne, and Barnstable. The schedule for upcoming workshops is as follows:

Truro: April 12, 2023 4:00 PM

Brewster: April 27, 2023 6:00 PM

Citizens interested in attending the meeting in their community should use the following link and meeting details: https://capecodcommission.org/llr/join passcode: join; or call in to the workshop at (929) 205-6099, using the Meeting ID 935 5189 6265.

Further information on the Low-Lying Roads project can be found by visiting: www.capecodcommission.org/our-work/low-lying-roads-project.