Wilmington Chamber of Commerce stresses keeping all options to fund CFMB replacement on the table

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A lot of area leaders are opposing the consideration of tolls being used as a way to pay for replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, but others are pushing to have all funding options on the table, including tolls.

Head of Wilmington’s Chamber of Commerce, Natalie English says funding would be more accessible if decision-makers were open to all options.

She says a replacement bridge is needed to accommodate the growing area, including people who visit, shop and work in Wilmington.

English says to do that, all options to fund a bridge must be on the table.

“We want to continue considering all the options we can for funding a replacement to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge,” said English.

English represents thousands of businesses in the Wilmington area, businesses she says will suffer if the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is not eventually replaced.

“My fear is if we don’t create a bigger bridge with more capacity, that we will actually see a bigger hit to business in our region,” said English.

English says she’s not alone in this thinking.

“The point needs to be made that we represent over a thousand business leaders and owners and their employees. And overwhelmingly they support finding a way to build a new bridge,” said English. “And this is not just me or one organization.”

English believes this funding could be available through grants.

“We have an opportunity through an application for a federal grant that will fund if we get it more than half the cost of the replacement bridge,” said English.

Chad Kimes, NCDOT engineer, said considering a toll as a funding option, could help in receiving that money, and possibly a grant.

“The more additional money you can add up, it starts scoring better in prioritization,” said Kimes.

At the end of the day, the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization will ultimately make the final call on whether NCDOT keeps or does away with the toll option.

However, Kimes believes not all board members are ready to pull the plug.

“There are some board members that believe in looking at all funding options,” said Kimes.

Natalie English is advocating for the same.

“We do have to consider every option we can for how we will fund the bridge,” said English. “And I believe there are ways we can do that if we continue being open.”