Residents reject taller bridge option at Cape Fear Memorial Bridge hearing

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) -More than 60 residents spoke during a public hearing at Cape Fear Community College over plans to replace the nearly 60-year-old Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Public comment lasted more than two and a half hours.

There are two replacement options under consideration.

Alternative A features a movable span that can rise between 65 and 135 feet over the river.

Alternative B is a fixed bridge sitting at 135 feet, allowing boats to pass underneath without stopping traffic.

Both options would include adding a toll to the bridge.

Attendees delivered an overwhelming rejection of alternative B. Some attendees called it “Option Bad.”

Residents said a bridge that tall would loom over downtown, increase traffic and waste taxpayer dollars.

Every commenter opposed a toll on the bridge, but said alternative A is the “lesser of two evils”.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says the bridge replacement is expected to cost nearly $1 billion, and tolls remain a likely part of funding the project.

“The non-toll option did not score well enough in our process to be picked up for funding. The tolled option is a viable project. It is picked up. That’s the project that we’re actually moving forward with,” said Trevor Carroll with NCDOT.

Every speaker at the hearing preferred alternative A, the movable span similar to the current bridge.

Residents said preserving the historic look of downtown Wilmington and protecting their finances outweighs the convenience of a tall, fixed bridge.

“We don’t want that, need that, and it cannot live in the downtown area. It will destroy businesses. It will destroy properties. That should not be up for consideration,” said David Hendrickson, a resident who spoke during public comment.

Hendrickson, like all of the other public speakers, say alternative B needs to be removed.

“It is that important. You’re dumping a big bad bridge in the middle of a historic neighborhood. God … what’s going on!? An EA is ridiculous! So what’s the conclusion? The conclusion is, drop alternative B, it’s bad,” Hendrickson said.

A second public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Leland Cultural Arts Center.

Public comments can also be emailed or phoned in to NCDOT. The public comment period ends Oct. 15. NCDOT says it will review and respond to all questions, and comments will be taken into consideration.

More details on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge project can be found here. You can make a comment here.