‘That’s harmful’: Residents oppose toll funding option for Cape Fear Memorial Bridge project

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Engineers with the state Department of Transportation heard opposition Tuesday night to plans to replace the aging Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, during the second of two public forums held this week.

People packed the Leland Cultural Arts Center Tuesday night, and nearly 30 of them stepped up to the microphone to speak. The pushback followed a similar forum held the previous night in Wilmington.

Two design options presented

The DOT has settled on two options for replacing the current bridge.

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.

Most speakers at the forum did not favor either choice, but every speaker who addressed the option opposed using tolls to pay for the replacement bridge, which is expected to cost more than one billion dollars.

State transportation officials say a toll is a viable way to close a nearly 800-million-dollar funding gap. Neighbors said they feared a toll could negatively impact locals who need to cross the bridge daily.

John Raia, a Brunswick County resident, said, “They should build a bridge like they build a bridge anywhere else. It should be free for us because we pay taxes. We pay our license and registration, and they build bridges other places. They should build a bridge here — it’s needed.”

Another local resident said, “I, as a stay-at-home mom with zero income, cannot drive my child to school, her activities, and back. I am going to have to cut back on the things I am doing for this to be successful. That’s harmful.”

Trevor Caroll, NCDOT Division 3 Engineer, said “This is a vital connection between two counties down here in this region that are really expanding, really growing, and this connection is extremely important. What we want to do is get this decision right.”

Public comment period remains open

DOT engineers will use feedback from these meetings as they work toward making a final selection by the end of this year.

The public comment period remains open until Oct. 15, and comments can be submitted online. You can find that link here.