Massachusetts begins taking deeds for homes affected by Sagamore Bridge replacement project

The state of Massachusetts has started taking over the property deeds of homes that will be affected by the Sagamore Bridge replacement project on Cape Cod.

The Department of Transportation said that as of Monday, the deeds on three properties out of the 13 being taken under eminent domain have been transferred to the state. A fourth property is scheduled to have its deed transferred later this week.

"MassDOT is taking steps to ensure a respectful and fair process for homeowners impacted by eminent domain, while at the same time, MassDOT takes steps to advance construction of the critically important replacement of the 90 year old Sagamore Bridge for the people of Cape Cod," the agency said in a statement. 

120 days

Under eminent domain laws, the government can pay a fair market price to take a private property for public use. MassDOT notified the homeowners last February that their properties would be taken.

"For each property there is the appraisal period, then the deed transfer, then a 120-day period the owner has to consider the appraisal," MassDOT said. "After the deed transfer, the owner has an opportunity to enter an agreement with MassDOT to stay in their home if they need more time to relocate. MassDOT compensates each owner for the home and pays relocation expenses also."

Joyce Michaud is one of the three people who have already lost their home. "I feel like maybe this is just a dream and I'm going to wake up. I'm nervous, I'm very nervous and it's affecting my health," Michaud said. "I have 120 days to go, I don't know where and it's a little scary." 

Michaud has lived near the Sagamore Bridge for more than 25 years. "They changed the deed over into their name on Friday and FedEx brought me a check on Saturday," Michaud said. 

She said the stress of it all is starting to take a toll. "So, my doctor's concerned, I can't sleep at night, I can't concentrate," she said. 

While she says she did receive a fair market value for her home, she said it's not about the money. "I would rather not have the money," Michaud said. "In fact, I would be willing to pay them if they let me stay here forever."

"We've been just bulldozed"

Last March, Marc and Joan Hendel were devastated when they were told they'd have to leave their dream home only three months after moving in. 

"The emotional impact, the emotional distress is off the charts," Marc Hendel said. 

"We feel like we've been just bulldozed," Joan Hendel said. 

This Friday, they say their house will be appraised as part of MassDOT's three step process. 

"And the state has in their words graciously offered that if it does take us more than 120 days, we will work out an arrangement where we can pay rent to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to live in our own home," Marc Hendel said.

MassDOT said it "realizes relocations are challenging for property owners and has professional staff continuing to assist and support owners during the process."

Cape Cod bridges

The aging Sagamore and Bourne bridges see 5 million visitors every year. They have been both deemed structurally deficient and Gov. Maura Healey's administration has focused on replacing the Sagamore first because it sees more traffic and more crashes than the Bourne Bridge.

There were concerns about the funding the bridge projects last year after a Trump administration official said Boston-based Army Corps of Engineers project would be considered for cancellation, though the federal government has not followed through with that threat.  

The state has previously estimated that the new bridges could be built by 2034.