A new proposal has been put forward for the replacement of the Cape Fear Bridge in North Carolina. Building a new bridge is expected to cost $1.1 billion and the proposal from the firm, Delivering Bridges, is for a design, build, finance and operate package that would involve tolling users.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) received the proposal and has been given approval from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO). The assessment process can now commence, which will include the various legal, financial and environmental issues involved in the proposal and is expected to take around 16 weeks to complete.
Federal funding of $242 million from the Bridge Investment Program will be provided for the project as well as $85 million in state funding. The new fixed span bridge proposed will allow for a clearance height of 41m and a width of 122m to allow vessels to pass underneath. The proposed fixed span design will also have three lanes for traffic in either direction as well as a pathway for cyclists and pedestrians. The other key option for the new bridge is for a lifting type, although this would be more costly.
The existing Cape Fear Memorial Bridge at Wilmington carries US 17, US 76 and US 421 over the Cape Fear River and connects Brunswick County with New Hanover County. The link carries a high percentage of heavy trucks travelling to and from the Port of Wilmington.
Carrying around 65,000 vehicles/day, the existing bridge features two lanes in either direction and is struggling to cope with the current traffic volume, which is considerably greater than its original design specification. Work on the existing Cape Fear Bridge commenced in 1967 and it opened to drivers in 1969 but has no facilities for pedestrians or cyclists and is considered functionally obsolete. Although it is still safe structurally, the maintenance requirements for the bridge with its 124m-long lifting section are becoming increasingly high. A new deck was installed in 1996 while a new control system was fitted in 2007 and the lifting mechanism requires regular attention to ensure it functions correctly. Traffic delays are caused both by the existing bridge being raised to allow vessels to pass underneath and also when maintenance works are being carried out.
A public hearing run by NCDOT is likely to be held in June 2026 and an environmental assessment for the project will be released by mid-2026 at the latest. The proposals put forward will be considered, including the tolled bridge option from Delivering Bridges. The aim is for the new bridge to be ready for traffic by 2031. Delivering Bridges is a part of United Bridge Partners.
