Questions remain as Wrightsville Beach bridge replacement project moves toward construction
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (WWAY) — A major bridge replacement project in Wrightsville Beach is expected to begin in the coming months, but local leaders and business owners say questions remain about the project’s design, timeline and overall cost.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to replace the U.S. 76 bridge on Causeway Drive crossing Banks Channel, along with two smaller bridges crossing Lees Cut and Banks Channel.
During a project committee meeting Monday, members discussed the next steps as the town prepares for construction. According to town officials, utility relocation work is expected to begin in July on the West Salisbury Street bridge over Kenans Creek, with demolition of that bridge anticipated this fall.
However, committee members expressed concern that NCDOT has not yet presented a final design or construction timeline for the project.
Susan Bullock, chair of the Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce, said businesses on the island are already planning for significant traffic disruptions during construction.
“Live without the two Northside bridges for two weeks and you will have a sense of the difficulty,” Bullock said. She added that losing bridge access could add hours to travel times for people entering and leaving the island.
Neal Andrew, chair of the project committee, said the delay is tied to permitting and the project’s contracting process. He said the state is using a specialized contracting agreement intended to help control both the duration and cost of construction, but that officials are still working through complex issues associated with the contract.
An NCDOT representative told the committee there is currently no deadline for completing the project’s design. The representative also said there remains a possibility the project could move forward without the currently selected contractor if the proposed cost exceeds expectations.
Despite the unanswered questions, the town says construction on the smaller West Salisbury Street bridge is still expected to begin this fall.
