For more than 50 years, the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge has connected New Hanover and Brunswick counties. It has served our region well, but Wilmington has changed dramatically since the bridge opened in 1969. Our population has grown, our economy has expanded and about 69,000 vehicles now cross the bridge every day, including more than 8,000 trucks. By 2050, NCDOT expects that number to approach 95,000. Simply put, we have outgrown the bridge we have today.
After reviewing the most recent Environmental Assessment, the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce continues to support Alternative B, the fixed-span replacement bridge with 135 feet of vertical clearance. We believe it provides the best long-term solution for moving people and goods across the Cape Fear River while preserving the river’s role in our economy.
Traffic already backs up regularly on both sides of the river. An accident, maintenance closure or other incident can turn a normal commute into a major regional disruption. By 2050, the Environmental Assessment projects that Alternative B would reduce morning commute delays by about one-third and evening delays by about one-quarter compared with Alternative A…