Save the Date: The 2026 OneCape Summit will take place on November 16, 2026 at the Wequassett Resort in Harwich, MA. The annual OneCape Summit is a regional forum for information, collaboration, and innovation across major policy issues and areas that impact Cape Cod. We look forward to seeing you there! | |
Tracking Traffic
The Independence Day holiday is traditionally one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer on Cape Cod. On Sunday, July 5, 2026, thousands of people traveled off-Cape, and traffic approaching the Sagamore Bridge was heaviest around midday. At noon, the trip from Route 132 in Barnstable to the Sagamore Bridge averaged 98 minutes, more than eight times longer than the typical 12-minute drive. Public transportation was well-utilized over the holiday weekend, with the Cape Flyer seeing near record ridership.
The Cape Cod Commission tracks regional traffic trends to help inform residents, visitors, and decision-makers. Visit Data Cape Cod to explore traffic data from across the region.
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Chatham adopts updated floodplain regulations
The Chatham Conservation Commission recently adopted updated coastal floodplain regulations developed by the Cape Cod Commission, becoming the first Cape town to do so. These new regulations aim to better prepare communities for the impacts of climate change.
The model regulations, developed in partnership with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant, Urban Harbors Institute, and Noble Wickersham and Heart, are based on a suite of tools for coastal floodplain resiliency. They help Cape Cod communities strengthen protections for natural resources and the built environment as flood risks increase.
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Commission certifies Local Comprehensive Plans for two towns
The Cape Cod Commission recently certified Local Comprehensive Plans (LCP) for the towns of Orleans and Harwich, marking an important milestone in each community’s long-term planning efforts.
LCPs establish a shared vision for a community’s future while guiding decisions about housing, infrastructure, natural resource protection, economic development, and growth. The Commission works closely with towns throughout the planning process and certifies plans that are consistent with the Regional Policy Plan and regional planning goals, helping ensure local priorities support the long-term sustainability of Cape Cod.
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Continuing to craft a vision for the future of Route 6A
For the past two years, the Cape Cod Commission has been laying the groundwork for a comprehensive vision for the future of Route 6A.
Building on this foundation, the Commission has partnered with Toole Design, a nationally recognized transportation planning and engineering firm specializing in Complete Streets, roadway safety, and multimodal corridor planning. Toole Design has led safety and visioning projects across New England, contributed to state and national roadway design guidance, and helped communities develop solutions that enhance safety without compromising local character.
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Electric vehicle use is increasing across Cape Cod
The number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Barnstable County has increased significantly since 2020. In 2026, Cape Cod has more than six times as many registered EVs as it did in 2020.
The Cape Cod Commission is engaged in a variety of efforts to help support EV adoption and EV infrastructure across the region. Commission staff is working with the towns of Falmouth, Chatham, Brewster, Orleans, and Truro to earn their Charging Smart designation, and a program that will place shareable electric vehicles and charging stations at a number of affordable housing developments across the region will launch in August. Read more in next month's Reporter.
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Building a resilient, year-round economy for Cape Cod
Restaurants that are full at the height of the season. Coffee shop lines stretching down local sidewalks. Booked-up hotels, motels, and short-term rentals. Cape Cod’s economy has long been anchored by its vibrant tourism and hospitality industries. While this sector remains vital to the region’s identity and prosperity, supporting a stronger, more resilient economy means expanding opportunities for year-round employment and fostering industries that can thrive in all four seasons.
In partnership with the Barnstable County Economic Development Council (BCEDC), the Cape Cod Commission is launching a regional industry analysis to identify and support industries that can provide stable, year-round employment and strengthen the region’s economy.
| | Improving Safety and Accessibility along Route 28 in Yarrmouth | | | | |
The Town of Yarmouth has been awarded a $25 million federal BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support critical transportation improvements along Route 28 from Cedar Street to the Parker's River Bridge.
Cape Cod Commission staff partnered with the Town of Yarmouth to prepare the grant application.
Download a fact sheet created by Commission staff that explains the project, planned improvements and upgrades, and an anticipated project timeline.
| | Video: Adaptive Reuse in Harwich | | |
The Boston Society for Architects recently launched its new guidebook, What Is Adaptive Reuse? Practical Solutions for the Cape & Islands, with an event at the Old Bank Street Firehouse in Harwich. The project transformed a former fire station into a vibrant community gathering space with three affordable apartments, demonstrating how existing buildings can be reimagined to meet local housing and community needs.
Watch the video above, produced by Cape Cod News, for a closer look at the project and to hear insights from Cape Cod Commission Deputy Director Erin Perry.
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