The Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) convened on October 21, 2024, to review progress on regional transportation performance measures and discuss ongoing projects. The meeting began with a presentation from Annabelle, who provided an overview of bridge and pavement conditions in the region. She noted that while Cape Cod does not have any interstate highways, approximately 7% of the state's non-interstate National Highway System (NHS) pavement is located in the area.

Annabelle reported that the region is currently lagging behind its performance targets, primarily due to rising construction costs that have impacted project returns. The MPO is actively evaluating the scope of upcoming projects to address these challenges. She highlighted that there are 47 bridges in Cape Cod, all owned by the Department of Transportation (DOT), and while they are generally in good condition, the performance metrics indicate a slight decline in meeting targets.

The discussion then shifted to the impact of recent federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Next Gen Bridge program. Annabelle expressed optimism that the investments made in preservation projects would begin to reflect positively in performance metrics by the end of the current performance period or the next.

Following Annabelle's presentation, the chair opened the floor for questions. It was clarified that no vote was required at this stage since the meeting served as an informational update rather than a decision-making session. Chris Clem from MassDOT then took the floor to discuss system performance measures related to congestion, reliability, and emissions, emphasizing that the Cape Cod region does not fall under certain urbanized area metrics relevant to larger cities like Boston and Worcester.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of monitoring these performance measures and the need for continued evaluation of project scopes to ensure effective use of resources. The MPO plans to keep stakeholders informed as they progress through the performance period and address any emerging challenges.