Southport residents prep for alternative routes to cross Cape Fear River

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — As we get closer to the partial closure of one of the Cape Fear’s busiest bridges, many residents on the west side of the river are exploring new ways to get across. 

Ted Siewers is a business owner and Southport resident. He said he plans to use the ferry to get to Carolina Beach and Wilmington—and he likely won’t be alone.   

“Getting over that bridge, I know how it is,” Siewers said. “In the mornings, and in the evenings. So, I can only imagine when two lanes closed, you’re going to have to look for other options.”  

Serving clients from Oak Island to Figure Eight Island for his business Beach Home & Boat Concierge, Siewers said the closure will be a challenge for his business, but one he is preparing for.   

“I enjoy the ferry sometimes, you know, when both lanes are all four are open,” Siewers said. “But that’s definitely going to be one of my top priorities, especially when I have clients in Carolina Beach and I need to get back to Southport pretty quick, the ferry seems like it’s going to be the better route.”  

But the closure is not all doom and gloom for area businesses.   

The Southport Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce anticipates a possible boost in business due to the increased traffic in Southport.  

“More traffic always is good for business,” Executive Vice President Karen Sphar explained. “We hope that it will keep people home a little bit as well, maybe they don’t go shopping in Wilmington as much, which is always good for buisiness, maybe not for our neighbors.”  

Sphar said she remembers when the Oak Island Bridge closed five years ago. She says that the community persevered, and that this time is no different.  

 “We will get through this, and on the other side, you may find some new stores and things that you haven’t been in before,” Sphar said. “So, maybe that’ll be a good thing.”