Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement topic of discussion at Wilmington Business Journal breakfast

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The future of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge remained a major topic of discussion Thursday during the Wilmington Business Journal’s Power Breakfast, as questions continue to surround how the aging bridge should be replaced.

The proposed replacement has drawn debate over which option should move forward, how the project could affect nearby homeowners and businesses, and how a new bridge would be funded.

The discussion comes just days after the Wilmington City Council unanimously voted to remove one of the proposed replacement options from consideration. Council members also reiterated their opposition to placing a toll on a new bridge.

Three candidates for the North Carolina House of Representatives — Latisha Grady for District 18 and opponents Dane Scalise and Tim Merrick for District 20— shared their views on the project during Thursday’s event.

Grady said she would support a practical approach to securing the funding needed to complete the replacement.

“The funding that would be necessary to fund the bridge, so I would support any common sense economic approach to solving that problem,” Grady said.

Merrick said he believes drivers should not have to pay a toll to use the bridge.

“Passengers should always be able to drive across that bridge,” Merrick said. “We should not have a private organization tolling and taking their profits because of our needs.”

Scalise emphasized the need for public investment and leadership to move the project forward.

“Bridges don’t happen by themselves. Infrastructure projects don’t happen by themselves,” Scalise said. “They require public investment, they require leaders that actually have the willingness to say I’m gonna get this done.”

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is scheduled to hold public hearings on the proposed Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement Sept. 14th in Daniels Hall at CFCC’s downtown Wilmington Campus and on the 15th at the Leland Cultural Arts Center.

Both hearings start at 6 pm.