WILMINGTON — The North Carolina Department of Transportation has submitted the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement project for federal grant consideration, which could cover up to half the cost of the over $400 million new bridge.
READ MORE: Vote moves toll option forward to see if CFM Bridge replacement scores higher with NCDOT
The grant application for the federal Bridge Investment Program requests the maximum amount allowed, $242.15 million. The funds would go toward constructing a higher, 135-foot fixed bridge that does not have to move to accommodate ships, with an additional two lanes.
The Bridge Investment Program was established by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will distribute $40 billion over five years. Up to $9.62 billion is available for large bridge projects with costs over $100 million. The minimum grant amount is $50 million.
Several legislators and municipalities, including U.S. senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, have submitted letters of support to the U.S. Department of Transportation on behalf of the project.
“I have been told that replacing the bridge will bring much-needed operational capacity improvements to meet existing and future transportation demands,” Sen. Budd wrote in his letter, dated Dec. 8, 2023. “Built over 50 years ago, the bridge is now showing its age and is functionally obsolete. Recent inspections and future population projections for the region further compound the need for the bridge’s replacement.”
Local leaders have put a lot of impetus on state leaders to advocate on behalf of the project. Those against a tolling option, including New Hanover County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield and Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, have said it was the state’s responsibility to pay for the project outright. Those in favor have also called on legislators to push for funding so as to reduce a toll price or eliminate the need for one altogether.
“We have a state delegation that can bring home the bacon to New Hanover County and I believe them whenever they tell me that they’re going to bring home the bacon whenever it comes to this bridge,” commissioner Dane Scalise, in favor of exploring a toll option in the hopes of bettering federal funding chances, said at a January meeting. However, Scalise said he would not support implementing a toll if enough funding cannot be secured.
Letters of support have also been submitted by North Carolina Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover), Sun Coast Partners Commercial, the BDK Management Group Inc., Wave Transit, the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Signed-on municipalities include Wilmington, Leland, Belville, Navassa, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Each has representation on the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which conducted a controversial vote last month on whether to submit a tolled replacement option to the state for consideration in its next funding cycle. A non-tolled option has already been submitted.
The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge has not scored high enough in NCDOT’s prioritization process for years due to its high cost and preservation projects, including one current one replacing the grid deck and stringers; it will extend the bridge’s life by several decades. However, the materials used on the bridge, built in 1969, are becoming harder and more expensive to find.
Still, NCDOT representatives were adamant that the bridge would not score high enough in the next STIP cycle under the non-tolled proposal. Despite having previously turned down an unsolicited proposal to toll the bridge in 2021, WMPO member and NCDOT representative Landon Zimmer suggested the board consider all funding options, including a toll, in November 2023.
Ultimately, the WMPO board voted 8-5…
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