COMMUNITY PETITION

Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement

TO: Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO)

From: Citizens of Southeastern North Carolina

We, the undersigned, urge the WMPO to reject all tolling plans for the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and to vote in favor of Design Alternative A: the lift bridge with the 65/135-foot vertical clearance.

Background:

1)    NCDOT plans to replace the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge with one of two alternative designs: Alternative A: a 65/135 ft Lift Bridge; and Alternative B: a 135-foot Fixed Bridge. Either of these design alternatives will cost in excess of $1.2 billion. NCDOT has obtained a $242 million federal grant, and NC might contribute $85 million, but approximately $900 million more is needed. WMPO is considering a toll to fund the remainder. Any kind of toll or local tax will be unfair to the citizens of our region and disproportionally burden working families, retirees, and students of area counties.    

2)    The 65/135-foot lift option can be built within the existing right of way of the current bridge and therefore minimizes damage to the Historic District, approximately 11 acres of wetlands in Brunswick County, and businesses and minority communities along the Dawson/Wooster corridor. It also maintains existing traffic patterns and evacuation routes. The 135-foot fixed option will result in significant environmental damage, including to wetlands in Brunswick County; produce ongoing environmental damage with direct introduction of pollution and noise to the city; wall off the south end of the city; and damage the Historic District and minority communities along Dawson, Wooster, Meares, and Wright Streets. Because it will land at S Fifth instead of S Third, the 135-foot fixed alternative will dramatically change traffic patterns downtown, resulting in congestion, backups, and delays. For instance, it will direct ever-increasing bridge traffic currently carried by a 4-lane state highway (S Third) onto narrow two-lane residential city streets (S Front Street and S Fifth Ave) that cannot handle the volume. 

We urge the WMPO to stand with the community and make the responsible decision:

•           NO to tolls

•           YES to Option A: the 65’/135’ lift bridge

Southeastern North Carolina deserves infrastructure that is accessible, equitable, and protective of our communities—not one that divides and burdens them.

_____________________________________ ___________________________________________

Name (Print)                                                                Email Address

_____________________________________                 ___________________________________

Street Address                                                            City, State, Zip

_____________________________________                 ___________________________________

Signature                                                                    Date