Bridge closure backs up traffic in Cape Fear region

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -– The closure of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge this weekend cut off one of the main arteries in and out of Wilmington and clogged up streets in the heart of downtown.

“I left the Pepsi plant at 12:05 p.m.,” driver Joey Andrews said. “That’s where I work at, and I have been here in traffic since 12:05 p.m., and it’s been four and a half hours of just sitting here waiting.”

NCDOT planned to detour drivers over the Isabel Holmes Bridge via 3rd Street, which is a four-lane street. However, 3rd Street is currently down to two lanes of traffic due to another construction project.

The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge remains closed until Monday at 5 a.m. when it reopens for the work week.

More maintenance is scheduled throughout the week on the bridge, and the closure schedule is as follows:

Monday at 8 p.m. until Tuesday at 5 a.m.
Tuesday at 8 p.m. until Wednesday at 5 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m. until Thursday, Oct. 11, at 5 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m. until Friday, Oct. 12, at 5 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 12, at 8 p.m. until Monday, Oct. 15, at 5 a.m.