Westfield, MA – Tighe & Bond, Inter-Fluve, the Town of Falmouth, and other project partners have been recognized with two awards for the Coonamessett River Restoration and John Parker Road Bridge project. The project team received the Bronze Engineering Excellence Award from The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA), and the Nicholas Humber Outstanding Collaboration Award from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC).
John Parker Road Bridge
The awards recognize the successful transformation of 56 acres of abandoned cranberry bogs which established a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem supporting wildlife, increasing coastal resiliency, and providing educational opportunities. Numerous barriers to fish passage were removed including a dam, water control structures, and a series of undersized culverts that were replaced with the new John Parker Road Bridge. Additionally, 5,560 feet of the river was reestablished to closely match the historic natural flow of the river.
“The Coonamessett River restoration achieved its goals to be a nature-based solution to increase resiliency to climate change and community resiliency. This project has increased awareness and stewardship of natural resources in Falmouth and both formal and informal educational programs,” said Elizabeth Gladfelter, Falmouth Conservation Commission member.
Project partners spanning local, state, and federal organizations collaborated with the technical engineering and construction teams to successfully complete this project. The restoration also provides an example for other Cape Cod communities transforming former cranberry bogs across the region into thriving wildlife habitats and educational and recreational opportunities for all.
