Bourne, Sagamore bridges may close if Hurricane Sandy brings sustained winds of 70 mph

By Matt Rocheleau, Globe Correspondent

The Bourne and Sagamore Bridges – which connect Cape Cod to the rest of the state – may temporarily close if Hurricane Sandy brings sustained winds of 70 miles per hour, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the bridges.

National Weather Service meteorologist Alan Dunham said he does not expect winds to hold at speeds of 70 miles per hour.

But, “I wouldn’t rule it out entirely,” he said by phone Sunday night. “That’s something we’re going to have to monitor.”

The weather service has said gusts are forecasted to reach up to about 80 miles per hour, with the potential to reach 90 miles per hour, especially along the coast.

The Corps of Engineers said in a statement Sunday that a decision to close the bridges would be coordinated with state officials and that State Police would be called to turn traffic away.

The team of engineers and scientists at the agency’s regional headquarters in Concord are making other preparations for the storm in New England, including monitoring water levels in major rivers, managing the flow of water at dams the agency manages and keeping an eye on tide levels around hurricane barriers it operates, the statement said.

The agency is also coordinating with states to offer any engineering support, technical assistance or sand bags that may be needed.