Wrightsville Beach Businesses Seek Answers Ahead of $105M Bridge Replacement Project
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Wrightsville Beach business owners are looking for more details as a major bridge replacement project moves closer to construction.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is planning to replace three aging bridges that connect the island — two West Salisbury Street bridges over Lees Cut and Banks Channel, and the South Banks Channel Bridge on Causeway Drive.
The project is designed to replace aging infrastructure while improving access to and from Wrightsville Beach, along with adding upgrades for pedestrians and cyclists. The project is estimated to cost $105 million and is expected to be completed in late 2032.
While many business owners support the need for improvements, they say they want more information about how construction could impact customers, traffic, and daily operations.
Susan Bullock, president of the Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce, says businesses need more information as they prepare for potential disruptions.
“Businesses need predictability,” Bullock said. “We need to know what the volume is that the DOT and the town expects will be reduced.”
Bullock says business owners are looking for answers about the construction timeline, traffic changes, and how customers and vendors will access the island during the project.
She says the potential impact could be especially challenging for businesses that operate in leased spaces.
“Businesses if they lose a third of their income will be looking twice at whether they can maintain their leases or pay their mortgages,” Bullock said.
Bullock also says the impact could extend beyond local businesses and affect tourism if visitors have difficulty getting to or leaving the island.
“If they have a bad experience in coming or staying or accessing, entering and exiting the island, they’ll think twice about coming back the next year,” Bullock said.
NCDOT is scheduled to meet with Wrightsville Beach leaders and the community Monday, July 13, at 10 a.m. at the Wrightsville Beach Public Safety Building Conference Room to discuss the project.
Town officials say they are committed to keeping residents informed and minimizing disruptions throughout the bridge replacement process.
