Smith Creek Bridge officially reopens to traffic

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)– On the roads, this morning in New Hanover County, a ribbon cutting on an iconic bridge that was damaged back in 2021. 

The NCDOT, along with the WMPO and other officials, gathered on Castle Hayne Road to cut the ribbon on the New Smith Creek Bridge.   

In May of 2021, a vehicle hit the former steel-truss bridge, permanently closing the structure.   

While plans to replace the bridge were already in progress, the NCDOT sped up the design and construction phases, leading to its official completion today.   

NCDOT Engineer, Chad Kimes, says this will make travel in this area much more convenient. 

“This is a critical north-south corridor in the Wilmington area coming into the downtown area, so it will provide some relief on this side of Wilmington,” said Kimes.  

The new bridge is 50 feet wider for boats, has bicycle lanes, and no longer has vehicle height restrictions.