Gov. Cooper touts $242M grant for Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement amid concerns

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — On Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper visited Wilmington to highlight a $242 million federal grant to replace the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.  

The funding is a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. More than $5 billion have been allocated for 13 major bridges across the county, including the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.   

The other half of the estimated $485 million that it will cost to build the new bridge will need to come from state and local agencies.   

The current proposal for the new bridge is a 135-foot-high fixed span bridge that will be placed adjacent to the current one.  

During Tuesday’s news conference, Gov. Cooper said as the area continues to grow, roadways will have to follow.  

“This bridge is a critical connector, but long term, it’s useful life is coming to an end and this community has recognized that harsh reality, and has gone to work,” Gov. Cooper said.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo added that the project will require cooperation of multiple agencies.  

“A project of this magnitude is beyond what one person, or one party, or one level of government can do,” Saffo said. 

But not everyone is optimistic about the bridge replacement. Elizabeth O’Donnell lives on 2nd St. Under the current proposal, her historic 19th century home would be demolished to make way for the new bridge.  

“You couldn’t pay me enough money for this house,” O’Donnell said. “I love the house, and quite honestly, I love the location.” 

Historic Wilmington Foundation Interim Director Isabelle Shepherd said the current 135-foot plan would destroy centuries of history. A smaller 100-foot bridge—she said—would have substantially less impact. 

“The Historic Wilmington Foundation advocates for a bridge of 100 feet or lower, as this would do the least amount of harm to the Wilmington Historic District,” Shepherd said. 

The current 135-foot plan would allow for larger ships to pass under the bridge, but Sheperd argues a clearance of that height is not necessary for the size of boats that travel north up the river. O’Donnell said she just hopes to remain in the home she loves.  

“I don’t want to lose my house because somebody has a sailboat,” O’Donnell said. 

NCDOT Administrator Joey Hopkins said the project is currently in its initial stages, and that a timeline for construction is at least a year out. When asked, he would not say if future tolls are off the table.