USDOT awards $242 million grant to help replace Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A $242 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will to go towards the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in Wilmington, Gov. Roy Cooper’s Office announced on Friday.

Funding for this grant comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“This major grant from the Biden Administration is a game changer for the people of Southeastern North Carolina,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is a critical lifeline for Wilmington and our economy, used every day by thousands of residents, tourists headed to the beach and truck drivers going to and from the port. I appreciate President Biden’s leadership and commitment to rebuilding our aging infrastructure and look forward to getting this transformational project underway.”

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said there is still much that needs to be determined regarding any replacement bridge.

“Working with the local leaders here as to what the bridge will look like, how high its going to be, the capacity of the bridge,” Saffo said. “Right now, it looks like going from a four-lane to a six-lane bridge is going to be very important.”

Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization executive director Mike Kozlosky said on top of that, the impact to the environment needs to be studied as well.

“We’ve still got to complete the environmental review process to design and construct the facility,” Kozlosky said. “And so we’re working through the environmental review process now.”

The Bridge Investment Program-Large Bridge Project discretionary grant represents about half of the current estimated $485 million cost of the project.

Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Natalie English said funding is still a priority but does not want to rely on a toll to pay back the cost of the project.

“We’re not done fighting for and begging for and applying for grants, however, we can find them as a community with us,” English said. “We’re gonna lead that charge for as long as we have to to identify all the funds. We don’t want a toll either.”

“This grant signifies our federal partners understand the challenges we face with continual and increasing maintenance costs of this aging structure that connects communities and carries trucks that transport freight to and from the Port of Wilmington and the need to respond to the tremendous growth this region is experiencing,” said North Carolina Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins.

It is still not known whether a toll would be placed on the replacement bridge or not.

Saffo said he is against a toll, while English explained that this grant means any toll would be less than the originally suggested $2 toll, with any toll being used to pay back the cost of the project not covered by the grant or by the NCDOT.

Built in 1969, the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is a 3,000-foot-long steel vertical-lift bridge that carries U.S. 17/U.S. 76 /U.S. 421 over the Cape Fear River and connects Brunswick and New Hanover counties. The new structure is proposed to be a high-rise, fixed-span bridge.

Senator Thom Tillis previously sent a letter requesting funding for the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

“The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge will finally be replaced, which is welcome news for the residents of Wilmington,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “I’m thankful to Secretary Buttigieg for taking my call about this project and hearing why the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge was in desperate need of replacement. This was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation that I’m proud to have helped author and pass into law. It’s already provided more than $10 billion to rebuild North Carolina’s infrastructure, and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement is the latest project that will benefit our great state.”

The bridge is currently safe and in fair condition in the wake of a major rehabilitation project completed in spring of 2024. However, its design is not up to modern standards.

It costs about $500,000 per year to maintain and operate the moveable span structure, which carries more than 70,000 cars and trucks across the river each day and is projected to carry nearly 100,000 vehicles by 2050.

“The iconic Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is vital to the Cape Fear region and the state. For almost 60 years is has been an important conduit for the movement of goods from the Port of Wilmington to the rest of the country,” said Congressman David Rouzer. “This grant is a game-changer and the result of a strong, strategic, coordinated effort by local, state and federal officials to make it happen. Completion of this project will benefit this region, the state and the country for many years to come.”

“For years, we have worked alongside our federal legislators and advocated at all levels of government to secure the funding needed to replace the aging Cape Fear Memorial Bridge,” said New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Chair Bill Rivenbark. “The Board has highlighted this project as one of its legislative priorities for years, working to identify appropriate state and federal resources to make it possible. We are grateful to those in Washington for making this $242 million grant possible, bringing us closer to the replacement bridge becoming a reality. This is a milestone moment for our residents and region, as the bridge is a lifeline for industry, tourism, travel, and more. We look forward to a state-of-the-art replacement that will serve our community’s needs for generations to come.”