Leland Town Council weighs options for Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement

54 minutes ago

Kinsey Rothenberger,

The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge connects Wilmington and Brunswick County across the Cape Fear River. Local officials are considering options for replacing the aging bridge. (Photo: WWAY)

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — The future of the aging Cape Fear Memorial Bridge was the focus of discussion Monday as Leland Town Council members considered what a potential replacement could mean for communities on both sides of the Cape Fear River.

Leland is the latest local government to weigh in as the North Carolina Department of Transportation evaluates options for replacing the bridge.

During Monday’s agenda meeting, council members discussed a resolution supporting a comprehensive environmental review and evaluation of alternatives for a replacement. The council is scheduled to consider the resolution at its Thursday night meeting.

NCDOT is currently considering two replacement designs: a movable span with between 65 and 135 feet of clearance, or a fixed-span bridge with 135 feet of clearance.

The future of the bridge has also been discussed in recent meetings in Wilmington and Brunswick County.

Wilmington leaders have called for an additional replacement option to be considered, while Brunswick County commissioners have pushed for changes to state funding rules that could affect how a new bridge is financed.

The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge connects Wilmington and Brunswick County and has become an increasingly prominent issue as officials consider the infrastructure needs of the growing region.