Environmental and Community Groups Urge Federal Reevaluation of Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement Height
A coalition of environmental and community organizations has called upon U.S. Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, and Congressman David Rouzer, to request a reevaluation of federal requirements for the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Specifically, the groups are asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider its mandate for a 135-foot vertical clearance for the new bridge. Critics argue that this height requirement, based on data from the 1990s, is outdated and does not reflect current industrial activity north of the bridge, which has significantly decreased. They point out that the channel north of the bridge is not dredged for larger vessels and that the current lift section is primarily used by recreational boats. The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, Cape Fear River Watch, and other groups contend that the high clearance requirement limits design options, drives up the estimated cost to over a billion dollars, and could necessitate tolls, which are broadly unpopular.
