Brunswick County Residents react to Cape Fear Memorial bridge maintenance project

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Lots of people are talking about what’s to come for many drivers during a six-month long maintenance project on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.  

Work to replace grids on the bridge is expected to begin in January and last until June. This will likely cause major traffic issues. 

We spoke with some Brunswick County residents who use the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to get to work, medical appointments, and for leisure activities in the Port City. 

“I wish there was a better solution and maybe there is that they hadn’t dreamt up yet,” Brunswick County Resident, Bill Kamszik, said. 

Both in and outbound lanes on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge will be closed early in the project to set traffic control patterns.  

After that, both eastbound lanes going into Wilmington will be closed for the grid replacement work. That work is expected to take about three months.  

Once that is completed, the outbound lanes, heading into Brunswick County will be closed for construction.  

Bill Kamszik is a Brunswick County Resident and said he had not heard about this project until we spoke with him.  

“It’s certainly not an ideal plan. But I understand if the bridge is reaching its useful life and its current condition, something’s gotta be done,” Kamszik said.  

Kamszik said he already tries to avoid heavy traffic on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. So, with this upcoming project, he said he will surely limit his trips into Wilmington.  

Brunswick County residents Belinda and Frank Leonardo use the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge a few days a week. They said they understand the work needs to be done. But aren’t thrilled about the potential for traffic headaches. 

Belinda Leonardo, Brunswick County Resident.  

“The growth in the area has grown so fast that I don’t think they realize how traffic is going to be backed up into Leland,” Belinda Leonardo said. 

“I can’t imagine the traffic headaches that are going to be caused by this. Especially at that length of time,” Frank Leonardo said. 

Leland Mayor Brenda Boseman said this work is necessary which is why the town has been advocating for the replacement of the bridge for more than a decade. 

She issued a statement, which reads in part “everyone will need to have patience and potentially alter their travel times and routes to ease the predictable congestion in the upcoming year.”