NCDOT awards Phase 1 contract for Wrightsville Beach bridge replacement project
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded the contract for the first phase of a $105 million project to replace three bridges connecting Wrightsville Beach.
According to the Town of Wrightsville Beach, Phase 1 includes construction of a replacement for the smaller bridge on West Salisbury Street over Lees Cut, along with waterline relocation.
Waterline relocation is expected to begin in October and take four to eight weeks.
NCDOT says utility relocation work around the Lees Cut bridge may involve intermittent lane closures as crews prepare the area for construction.
Construction of the replacement bridge is expected to begin by the end of 2026. NCDOT says the existing bridge will not close to traffic for replacement until after Labor Day.
The larger West Salisbury Street bridge over Banks Channel and the South Banks Channel Bridge on Causeway Drive are also slated to be replaced as part of the overall project.
NCDOT says all three existing bridges remain safe but are nearing the end of their life cycles, requiring more frequent monitoring, inspections and maintenance.
The project has an estimated total cost of $105 million, including approximately $70.8 million for construction, $32.2 million for property acquisition and $2 million for utilities.
NCDOT currently lists the overall project for completion between 2030 and 2032. Future dates and estimated costs are subject to change.
