Millions awarded to help fund replacement of Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

Millions in grant dollars from the U.S. Department of Transportation will help fund the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

According to Sen. Thom Tillis and Gov. Roy Cooper , the $242 million Bridge Investment Program-Large Bridge Project discretionary grant is funded by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The award will cover about half the cost of the replacement, which is estimated to cost around $485 million.

Cooper called the grant a "game changer."

“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," Cooper said in a release Friday. "I appreciate President Biden’s leadership and commitment to rebuilding our aging infrastructure and look forward to getting this transformational project underway."

The bridge was built in 1969 and recently underwent a preservation project that disrupted traffic in and around Wilmington for months. The steel vertical-lift bridge spans 3,000-foot-long and carries U.S. 17/U.S. 76/U.S. 421 over the Cape Fear River, connecting Brunswick and New Hanover counties. The replacement structure is proposed to be a high-rise, fixed-span bridge, according to the release.

The preservation project, completed in spring 2024, left the bridge in "fair condition," Cooper's announcement noted, but "its design is not up to modern standards."

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo said the structure is "an essential connection between Wilmington and the world."

"Securing a fully funded bridge replacement remains a top priority for the city of Wilmington and our MPO," Saffo said in a statement. "I have great confidence in our community, our elected representatives, and our state and federal administrations to build on this investment and deliver a vital piece of transportation infrastructure for generations to come.”

Tillis also reacted to Friday's announcement, thanking U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

"This was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation that I’m proud to have helped author and pass into law," Tillis said in a statement. "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."

Bill Rivenbark, chair of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, said it's a "milestone moment."

"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," Rivenbark said in a statement. "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."

Natalie English, president and chief executive officer of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, said while this move is "a big step forward for southeastern North Carolina," there is more to be done.

"We know that replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is crucial to the growth in our region, and the project will remain a priority until it is fully funded," English said in a statement.

Reach reporter Jamey Cross at jbcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Millions awarded to help fund replacement of Cape Fear Memorial Bridge