Wrightsville Beach infrastructure improvements continue ahead of summer completion

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority says work on a major water and sewer infrastructure resiliency project in Wrightsville Beach will continue beyond Memorial Day as crews address construction challenges and design adjustments.

The project, which began in November 2025, is aimed at improving the resiliency of water and sewer infrastructure serving Wrightsville Beach by connecting new water and sewer mains installed beneath the Intracoastal Waterway to the town’s existing utility system.

According to CFPUA, the project remains within its overall contract schedule, but construction has required additional time due to design modifications intended to better protect live oak trees along West Salisbury Street, as well as unforeseen complexities related to tying the new infrastructure into existing utility lines.

Officials said contractors plan to temporarily patch Pelican Drive ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend to improve roadway conditions and help reduce traffic impacts for residents and visitors. The utility authority noted the patching will be temporary and that Pelican Drive will be fully repaved once the project is completed.

Additional site cleanup activities are also planned before the holiday weekend.

CFPUA said crews are continuing work as quickly and safely as possible while accounting for field conditions that may affect construction sequencing. The agency still anticipates the project will be completed later this summer.

As construction continues, CFPUA plans to conduct direct outreach to customers near the work zone, particularly residents in the Lees Cut and Driftwood Court areas.