Safer pedestrian highway crossings and electric vehicle charging stations are coming to Cape Cod National Seashore.

Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent Brian Carlstrom says work is beginning on the installation of a pedestrian crossing beacon at the intersection of Governor Prence Road and Route 6 near the Captain Penniman House in Eastham, Massachusetts. The pedestrian beacon was included in a 2012 Transit in the Parks federal earmark entitled “Improve pedestrian and bicycle crossings of major roadways using self-activated flashing beacons and a hybrid pedestrian beacon.” The self-activated flashing beacons were installed several years ago at the following locations:

The High intensity Activated crosswalk pedestrian crossing beacon will be located at a curve on high speed, high volume, four-lane State Route 6, which is under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The beacon is intended to contribute to improved safety for pedestrians in the area.  Additionally, the HAWK pedestrian beacon is a new and innovative device unfamiliar to most motorists.

The contractor began to mobilize on site on October 28 and put up construction signage. They will excavate for electrical conduit, and install curbing and sidewalks. Work will also include directional drilling under the roadway for the electrical power (no open trench in the road to impact traffic), and installation of concrete bases for the crossing signal mast arms and poles. Work this fall should take 3-4 weeks total. The mast arms, poles, and fixtures will be installed in mid to late spring (April-May) and the signal is scheduled to be operational by the summer of 2020.

Thanks to a partnership between the National Park Foundation, National Park Service, Department of Energy, and BMW of North America, four electric vehicle charging stations for the public have been installed at the Wellfleet Town Hall parking area to serve the towns and Cape Cod National Seashore. The availability of this option will expand access for EV destination travel and help reduce air pollution in parks and gateway communities.

“Cape Cod National Seashore staff are excited to help support our gateway communities through this innovative partnership,” said Superintendent Carlstrom. “The presence of multiple EV charging stations in Wellfleet Center provides a great new opportunity toward an energy efficient future for Outer Cape residents and visitors.”

This national project kicked off in April 2017 with the first electric vehicle charging stations installed at Thomas Edison National Historical Park in New Jersey.

With the installation of charging stations at the Wellfleet Town Hall parking area complete, an integrated team from this public private partnership is continuing to install charging stations in or near additional national park areas. When identifying site locations, the team is considering factors such as proximity and strength of EV markets, distance from nearby charging locations, and natural and cultural landscape considerations. Dozens of parks and site hosts have expressed interest, exploring site options and completing installations.

The Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office has provided technical assistance that supports innovative energy saving transportation projects at national park sites. These projects educate visitors on the benefits of advanced and alternative fuel vehicles and can help the National Park Service meet its energy, economic, and environmental goals. The benefits of these projects have the opportunity to reach far beyond the boundaries of the national parks.

“Electric vehicle drivers can look forward to enjoying the quintessential national park road trip as more charging stations are added across the country,” said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. “Not only will drivers benefit, but also the businesses and communities at the doorstep of our treasured national parks.”