North Carolina Department of Transportation officials have scheduled a public hearing next month regarding the proposed Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement.
N,CDOT has identified two proposed alternatives to replace the 57-year-old four-lane, steel, vertical-lift bridge spanning the Cape Fear River in Brunswick and New Hanover counties.
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The bridge, which was completed in 1969, “is becoming functionally obsolete, meaning it can no longer effectively service current traffic demands. While the existing bridge is safe, it is reaching the end of its lifecycle,” according to DOT officials.
Alternative A is a bridge with a movable span with a proposed 65-foot to 135-foot vertical clearance over the river.
Alternative B entails a fixed span bridge with a 135-foot vertical clearance and trumpet interchange improvements that would allow for interchange of secondary two-way streets to a multi-lane roadway with minimal traffic congestion.
Public hearings are set for the following dates and locations:
- Monday, Sept. 14 at Cape Fear Community College’s Daniels Hall, 502 N. Front St., Wilmington.
- Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way, Leland.
Doors will at 4:30 p.m. at which time transportation officials will be available to answer questions and receive comments, and the formal hearings will begin at 6 p.m. The formal hearings will also be streamed live.
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DOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, has approved the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement environmental assessment, which details anticipated impacts to natural, human, environmental, physical and biological resources for the two proposed alternatives.
Public comments made at the hearings will be included in the project record and considered in the selection of the preferred alternative for the project.
Comments may also be submitted until Oct. 15 by phone at 984-205-6615, enter project code 10626, by email to CapeFearMemorialBridge@publicinput.com, at DOT’s public input portal, or by mail to: Project Manager Mason Herndon, NCDOT Highway Division 3, 5501 Barbados Boulevard, Castle Hayne, NC 28429.
Copies of maps detailing study alternatives and the environmental assessment, or EA, are available for review throughout the public comment period at:
- NCDOT – Division 3 Operations, 5501 Barbados Blvd., Castle Hayne.
- Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Office, 525 N. Fourth St.
Copies of the EA only are also available for review at:
- New Hanover County Public Library – Main Branch. 230 Grace Street, Wilmington
- Brunswick County Library – Leland Branch. 487 Village Road, Leland
- Leland Town Hall, 102 Town Hall Drive, Leland.
Auxiliary aids and services will be provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in the public open houses. Those requiring special services should contact Martin Gallagher at magallagher@ncdot.gov or (919)707-6069 to make arrangements as soon as possible.
Interpretive services for those who do not speak English, or have limited availability to read, speak or understand English, will be provided upon request prior to the meetings by calling 1-800-481-6494.
Aquellas personas que no hablan inglés, o tienen limitaciones para leer, hablar o entender inglés, podrían recibir servicios de interpretación si los solicitan antes de la reunión llamando al 1-800-481-6494.
