Progress being made on new Love Grove bridge project

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Progress is being made on construction of a new bridge that will provide an additional access for the Love Grove neighborhood.

The bridge across Smith Creek is one of 38 projects approved by voters in the 2014 Transportation Bond. This $5 million project is one of the largest bond projects and began construction in February with completion expected in early 2018.

The contractor has completed installation of supporting structures underneath both sides of the bridge and now work on the horizontal span across the creek has begun.

Workers are using “top-down” construction, which eliminates the need for operating heavy equipment on the ground by building outward, with equipment traveling across the newly completed structure. This method minimizes disturbance to the environmentally sensitive marshlands and reduces the footprint of building the bridge.

Love Grove is currently only served with one entrance, which can be blocked by train traffic. Another entrance will ensure access to the neighborhood, regardless of train schedules.