Call Me When You Get to the Bridge: A Journey Through the Cape Cod Canal’s History

"Call me when you get to the bridge" holds a special meaning for many people heading to Cape Cod. It's more than just a simple instruction; it’s a signal of crossing over from the mainland to the distinct, laid-back charm of Cape Cod, often evoking the sense of entering a different world. Whether it’s the Sagamore or Bourne Bridge, these iconic structures represent a threshold — the moment when travelers leave behind the bustle of everyday life and step onto what feels like "island time." Despite the fact that Cape Cod is not an island in the strictest geographical sense, it can feel like one due to the Cape Cod Canal, which effectively separates it from the mainland, making it a man-made island. (The argument of peninsula or island is a whole other top!) The phrase captures the feeling of crossing into a place set apart, where time slows, the pace of life relaxes, and the allure of sandy shores and salt air takes over It’s a playful yet poignant reminder that sometimes, crossing a bridge isn’t just about moving from one place to another; it’s about shifting into a different frame of mind.

The History of the Cape Cod Canal and Its Bridges

The Cape Cod Canal, a major engineering feat, has played a crucial role in shaping the region’s economic and military landscape since it first opened to vessel traffic over 100 years ago. Originally an idea dating back to the 1600s, the canal was first realized in 1914 and has since undergone numerous transformations to become the vital waterway it is today. The construction of the Cape Cod Canal and its bridges is an enduring testament to innovation and perseverance, with significant improvements made over time to meet the demands of increasing vessel traffic and safety.

Early Beginnings: The Vision for a Canal

The idea of a canal connecting Cape Cod Bay to Buzzards Bay was discussed as early as the 1620s, during the time of the Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims, engaged in trade, recognized the need for an easier water route between the two bays, but the project was far beyond the small colony’s capacity. Over the centuries, the idea was revisited, especially after the Revolutionary War, when George Washington ordered an engineering survey for the canal in 1776. Despite numerous attempts and surveys, the canal project remained unrealized until the early 20th century.

From Private Ownership to Public Infrastructure

In 1904, financier August Belmont II became the driving force behind the canal's construction. He reorganized the Boston, Cape Cod, and New York Canal Company, which had held a charter for canal construction since 1899. With the help of renowned civil engineer William Barclay Parsons, Belmont began construction on June 19, 1909. By 1914, the canal was completed as a privately operated toll waterway.

The Cape Cod Canal immediately proved beneficial by shortening the maritime route around the Cape, but its original infrastructure—particularly the bridges—proved problematic. The canal’s width of just 100 feet and its swift currents created challenges for both vessels and bridge operators.

The Original Bridges: A Necessary Infrastructure

Upon the canal’s opening in 1914, the need for bridges to cross the waterway became immediately apparent. In 1910, the Buzzards Bay Railroad Bridge was completed, followed by the Bourne Bridge in 1911 and the Sagamore Bridge in 1913. The two vehicle bridges, Bourne and Sagamore, featured two 80-foot cantilever spans, which were essentially drawbridges that could be raised to allow ships to pass. When opened, these bridges provided a clearance of 140 feet for vessels.

However, the drawbridges created difficulties for mariners, as the swift currents of the canal made waiting for the bridges to open a hazardous task. As a result, traffic through the canal was slower than anticipated, and the waterway's financial success was underwhelming in the first few years.

Federal Control and Major Improvements

In 1918, after World War I, the Federal Railroad Administration took over the canal, and in 1927, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assumed control under the Rivers and Harbors Act. Recognizing that the canal’s infrastructure, including the bridges, needed significant upgrades, the Corps embarked on an ambitious project to widen and deepen the canal, as well as replace the outdated bridges.

The new bridges were designed to eliminate the problems caused by the original drawbridges. In the 1930s, the Corps initiated the construction of new bridges. The Bourne and Sagamore bridges were replaced with fixed structures, raising their clearance to 135 feet above mean high water, a major improvement over the original 41 feet. These new bridges, completed in 1935, were designed to better accommodate modern vessels and reduce the navigation challenges that had plagued the original crossings.

The New Railroad Bridge and the Legacy of the Canal’s Infrastructure

In addition to the two new vehicle bridges, the original railroad bridge was replaced with a new vertical-lift bridge. Completed on September 20, 1935, the new railroad bridge was the longest vertical-lift bridge in the world at the time, measuring 544 feet in length. This bridge would hold the record until 1959 when the Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge in New Jersey surpassed it.

The construction of these new bridges was part of a broader effort to improve the canal, which also included widening it to 480 feet and deepening it to 32 feet by 1940. The improvements increased traffic through the canal and contributed to its success, especially during World War II, when the canal became a vital route for military vessels.

Remnants of the Original Bridges

Though the current bridges have stood the test of time for over 80 years, remnants of the original bridges still remain. On the Bourne side of the canal, Old Bridge Road follows the path of the original bridge approach. On the Cape side, a concrete abutment wall from the original Sagamore Bridge can be found near Light Pole #115 along the Canal Service Road/Bike Path.

These remnants serve as a reminder of the Cape Cod Canal’s rich history and the challenges it faced in its early years. The modern bridges that now span the canal have been vital in supporting both local traffic and maritime commerce, ensuring the Cape Cod Canal remains a key infrastructure feature for decades to come.

For more on the history and development of the Cape Cod Canal, including its role during World War II, read further details on the canal’s continued evolution and contributions. US Army Corps of Engineers - Cape Cod Canal History