WMPO hears presentation on tolls for potential CFMB replacement

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization heard a presentation on Wednesday about tolls for a potential replacement for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

Earlier this year, the state Department of Transportation said tolls are the only feasible option to fund a new bridge.

When the Biden administration announced a $242 million federal grant for the project last summer, it was meant to cover a little less than half the cost.

But the grant was put on hold earlier this year.

In the meantime, the cost of a replacement bridge ballooned to more than a billion dollars.

David Roy works for the NC Turnpike Authority.

In his presentation, he spoke about two different tolling options, saying that the project can be properly funded regardless of which one is chosen.

“Effectively, what this shows is under both delivery approaches, it’s likely that the project is financially feasible,” Roy said. “The only thing that I can assure you is that, you know, we’re about 2 years from financial close and all of these numbers are going to change but the narrative I think remains the same as it did a couple of years ago.”

No decisions were made on Wednesday.

In January, the Wilmington City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing tolls on the current bridge.

Following Wednesday’s presentations, several WMPO members said they still don’t want a toll placed on the existing bridge or its replacement.