TRAFFIC ALERT: Cape Fear Memorial Bridge closed from 8pm-5am

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is schedule to close at 8pm Monday night and will reopen at 5am Tuesday morning. This schedule will continue Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Plan to use Isabel Holmes Bridge during those hours.

The brdige reopened Monday after it caused some big headaches for drivers over the weekend.

This closure is part of the electrical and mechanical repair project for the bridge.

Drivers were told to use the Isabel Holmes Bridge this weekend; however, as a result, there have been major back ups with people trying to get across that bridge, according to Lt. Mary Green with the Wilmington Police Department.

Some drivers called our newsroom, saying they waited in traffic for hours on both sides of the Cape Fear River.

The state DOT sent out a press release earlier this week about upcoming construction on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge that made no mention of the weekend closure.

Our calls to the DOT have not been returned.

New Hanover County dispatchers said the closure and resulting traffic led to hundreds of calls to 911. Dispatchers called it a "strain" on the system.

Traffic was a lot better on Sunday. The congestion was limited to the Isabel Holmes Bridge. Drivers experienced minimal wait times. However, for a lot of people, this ruined their weekend plans.

"About 2 1/2 hours, leaving Waterford to Market Street," said Jessica Wilson. "I didn't understand why there wasn't a state trooper directing any traffic because there was a lot of congestion where the lanes merge."

Many drivers said DOT needed better signage.

"I did not know the bridge was closed so it was a surprise to me and I live in downtown Wilmington," said Wilson.

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