Wrightsville Beach Bridge Project could displace residents

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Several bridges in Wrightsville Beach are nearing the end of their service life, prompting the need for replacements. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is moving forward with a project that will affect multiple properties, particularly around the Causeway Drive bridge.

“This project will unfortunately impact properties, and there will be a need for the acquisition of properties from private owners,” explains Derek Pielech, Division 3 Bridge Program Engineer. Meaning that additional space will be necessary to carry out the bridge replacements, meaning some residents may be displaced.

While two of the bridges on West Salisbury Street are expected to be replaced in their current locations, the Causeway Drive bridge will undergo an expansion, which could significantly impact surrounding properties.

One of those affected is Kent Hardin, a longtime resident of the Harbor Inn. He and about 20 of his neighbors could be forced to relocate from a place they’ve called home for years. Hardin, who has lived in the condominium for the past 12 years, is one of many who will be directly impacted by the changes.

“We are all in the situation of losing what is either our primary home or our secondary home,” says Hardin. “They’ll do an appraisal, we’ll be given an offer, and we’ll be given some uncertain amount of time to vacate the building, so we don’t know when we have to move either.”

The condos will need to be removed to make room for the planned bridge expansion. The new design includes a four-lane bridge with a divided median, along with 10-12 foot multi-use paths and dedicated 6-foot bike lanes.

Despite the planned upgrades, Hardin questions whether these changes will actually improve the situation. “You are not increasing traffic flow at all. You are not increasing pedestrian flow at all. You are taking 22 people’s homes away from them just so you can add a bike lane across the bridge that ties the two together.”

As for what comes next, Hardin is left in limbo, waiting for more information. “Once we figure out a date that we have to move, then I guess all of us will hire realtors,“ he says.

Hardin also mentions that many of his neighbors are using the same lawyer to work with the Department of Transportation regarding property acquisition. However, he says that he has not had any open communication with the DOT since the public meeting in September 2023.