A bridge project in Wilmington that has regional impacts got a major boost Friday (today), as federal officials announced a $242 million grant for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge project.
The bridge carries U.S. 74-76 and U.S. 421 into Wilmington. The vertical lift drawbridge was built in 1969, and recently underwent a major rehabilitation.
The federal funds will be used as part of the estimated $485 million needed to replace the bridge with a larger, fixed span.
The bridge is considered in fair condition after the major rehabilitation project completed in spring of 2024. The design is not up to modern standards.
It costs about $500,000 per year to maintain and operate. The bridge sees more than 70,000 cars and trucks across the Cape Fear River each day, and is projected to carry nearly 100,000 vehicles by 2050.
The funding came through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The U.S. Department of Transportation notified Congress on Friday of the impending formal announcement of the award.
The Bridge Investment Program-Large Bridge Project discretionary grant funded through the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents about half of the current estimated $485 million cost of the project.
“This major grant from the Biden Administration is a game changer for the people of Southeastern North Carolina,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “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.”
“This grant signifies our federal partners understand the challenges we face with continual and increasing maintenance costs of this aging structure that connects communities and carries trucks that transport freight to and from the Port of Wilmington and the need to respond to the tremendous growth this region is experiencing,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins.
