Wilmington City Councilmember voices frustration regarding CFMB replacement funding options

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Questions continue to surround how a replacement for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge would be paid for, with local leaders still facing a funding gap of hundreds of millions of dollars.

During the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s annual report to the Wilmington City Council on Tuesday, August 17th, officials discussed a local sales tax and a three-county funding partnership as possible alternatives to a bridge toll.

Councilman David Joyner said he’s frustrated local governments are being asked to help pay for a project he believes should receive more support from the state and federal governments.

“The reality in our conversations with our Washington and Raleigh delegations is that those numbers are pretty firmly set, and our request for more funding from those groups is kind of falling on deaf ears at this point. So if the reality now is that we are facing either a toll or we are facing some sort of local sales tax, I think voters should get to choose,” Joyner said.

He also said his goal is still a replacement bridge without a toll that supports commerce, protects the environment and does not disrupt Historic Downtown Wilmington.