title
??Resolution Adopting Comments on the Environmental Assessment Related to the Proposed Replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge??
body
Department:
Planning & Development
Meeting Date:
9/1/2026
Contact Name:
Linda Painter
Public Hearing:
N/A
Contact Phone:
910-341-7806
Advertising Date/Advertised By:
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment #1: Resolution
PURPOSE:
??Presented for your consideration is a resolution containing the City Council’s response and comment to the Environmental Assessment (EA) conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (“USDOT”), Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”), and the N.C. Department of Transportation (“NCDOT”) regarding the proposed replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.?
BACKGROUND:
??The NCDOT is proposing to replace the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. NCDOT released the Environmental Assessment (“EA”) for the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge on Friday, August 14, 2026. The EA currently evaluates two alternatives for the replacement of the bridge:
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?Alternative A: A moveable span with 65-135 feet of vertical clearance and an estimated cost of $1,110,700,000
?Alternative B: A fixed span with 135 feet of vertical clearance and an estimated cost of $1,029,800,000
?A third alternative for a fixed span with 100 feet of vertical clearance was eliminated from consideration based on the May 2025 Preliminary Navigation Clearance Determination issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, which requires at least 135 feet of vertical clearance and 400 feet of horizontal clearance.
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?To date, NCDOT has received a $242 million grant from the USDOT and $85 million from the State Transportation Improvement Program (“STIP”) for the replacement bridge (toll option), for a total of $327 million of dedicated project funding for design and construction of the bridge replacement. Tolling the replacement bridge has been proposed to help close the project's funding gap. Approval of the Nort...
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