Improving safety along Cape Cod’s oldest roadway 

One of the oldest roadways in the country, Route 6A is a designated scenic byway that winds its way through multiple towns along the north side of Cape Cod. When you drive down this historic and scenic road, you’ll see quintessential Cape Cod homes and architecture, the natural beauty of marshes, cranberry bogs, wooded forest, open vistas, and an array of shops, restaurants, inns, and hotels.   

While 6A is a scenic and historic roadway, it can also be dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. Small or nonexistent shoulders, crumbling or nonexistent sidewalks, and winding streets make it hazardous for those on foot or on two wheels. Portions of the roadway lack non-motorist accommodations and inconsistent speed limits across the corridor lead to unpredictable driving conditions.  

The Cape Cod Commission will soon begin a study investigating potential safety improvements along this historic stretch of road. Working with the Towns of Bourne, Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster, Orleans, Truro, and Provincetown, the Commission will conduct a two-year visioning study along Route 6A to better understand the issues with safety and barriers to making improvements. Staff will also work with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to review existing conditions, including crash history, speed limits, and multi-modal accommodations.   

The study area will begin in Bourne at the intersection of Cranberry Highway and Sandwich Road and continue to the Orleans/Eastham rotary. The study will pick up at the intersection of Route 6 at Shore Road in Truro and continue on to the intersection of Route 6 at Province Lands Road in Provincetown.   

Commission staff will review the MassDOT Strategic Highway Safety Plan and the Massachusetts Vulnerable Roadway User Safety Assessment for guidance and strategies that could be incorporated along Route 6A.   

Several public outreach events will be held throughout the study period, including in-person meetings, virtual public meetings, and pop-up events.   

Following the first year of data collection and study, Commission staff will develop potential recommendations to improve safety along the Route 6A corridor, which will be shared with town staff and the public, incorporating any feedback and suggestions into the final report.   

Retaining the scenic and historic look of Route 6A while improving safety for all is an essential facet of this project.