Trump administration finishes review of federal grant for Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A spokeswoman with the North Carolina Department of Transportation says the U.S. Department of Transportation has finished a review of a grant meant to partially fund a replacement for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

In the summer of 2024, the Biden administration announced a $242 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to go towards the replacement of the bridge, but the Trump administration announced a pause on all grant projects to review them.

A spokeswoman for the NCDOT says the USDOT has completed the review of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge grant, per the Feb. 26 Executive Order.

“NCDOT will continue collaboration with our federal and local partners to move the project forward. NCDOT is in the process of completing pre-construction activities, including the completion of necessary environmental documents,” the spokeswoman said.

“Once pre-construction activities are completed, NCDOT will work with the USDOT to finalize the agreement for the $242 million Large Bridge Grant award, which will provide partial funding to construct the new bridge,” she added.

Another part of the federal government has also weighed in. Last month, the U.S Coast Guard recommended a 135-foot clearance for the bridge. The option is projected to cost $1.1 billion, up from the original $450 million estimate.