The Historic Wilmington Foundation (HWF) celebrates the announcement of a $242 million grant from the Biden-Harris Administration for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement project. This substantial funding represents a significant victory for our community, promising to address critical infrastructure needs. However, the proposed solution—a 135-foot high-rise, fixed-span bridge—poses a dire threat to Wilmington's Historic District and its minority communities.
The projected maximum cost for this towering bridge is $485 million. Such a bridge would be catastrophic for the Wilmington Historic District, leading to the demolition of numerous historic homes and harming minority communities. Fortunately, there are alternative bridge designs under consideration that meet navigational needs, are less expensive, and less damaging to historic and cultural assets.
THREAT TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT & MINORITY COMMUNITIES
Unlike the current 65-foot lift bridge that lands between South 3rd and South Front Street, the proposed 135-foot fixed-span bridge would extend much deeper into the Wilmington Historic District, reaching South 5th Street. This expansion would result in the destruction of historic homes and alter the landscape with long on/off ramps and support structures invading residential blocks. The bridge, ramps, overpass, supporting structures, and the traffic carried on them would create unsightly views, noise, grime, and vibrations for several blocks. These ill effects would dramatically reduce property values, causing urban blight, discouraging private investment and preservation efforts, and leading to the demolition by neglect of historic properties.
Additionally, the 135’ fixed bridge would cause significant damage to historically Black communities along and south of Dawson and Wooster Streets. The bridge, overpass, and supporting structures would create a physical barrier, further cutting off the residences and businesses of minority communities from downtown. This would subject these communities to disproportionate adverse economic and social consequences.
IMPACT ON THE USS NORTH CAROLINA BATTLESHIP MEMORIAL
A fixed bridge with a 135 foot clearance also would interfere with sight lines to the USS
North Carolina Battleship Memorial—a historically important ship, popular state park, and economic driver for the region. Its historic, cultural, and economic significance cannot be overstated. As both a historic structure and a memorial to the 11,000 North Carolinians who made the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom in WWII, it is essential to protect the viewshed of this site.
NAVIGATION IMPACT REPORT FINDINGS
Findings shared in the Navigation Impact Report (NIR) recently submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard by North Carolina Department of Transportation do not justify the need for a 135’ bridge. Given the data presented in the report, it is clear that a vertical clearance of no greater than 100 feet would suffice to meet the reasonable navigational needs. In fact, a vertical clearance of 65 feet, consistent with bridges on the adjacent Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), would adequately serve all commercial and the vast majority of recreational vessels currently operating on the waterway. The existing Cape Fear Memorial Bridge has a 65-foot vertical clearance when closed, and no commercial vessels exceeding this height have operated on the waterway since June 2023. Of the 69 bridge lifts in 2023, 67 were for sailboats, all under 100 feet in height.
Significantly, vertical clearances are not the only obstacles to future upstream industry and large commercial vessels. The depth of the water is the most consequential limitation north of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Kinder Morgan, the last shipping terminal north of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, sold this property in June of 2023 and relocated to terminals south of the bridge where deeper water and better access meet its needs. The NIR confirms that the water depth at the old Kinder Morgan terminal is 28 to 31 feet. This shallow depth makes the old Kinder Morgan terminal economically and commercially unviable, and that depth will not be increased. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers eliminated potential federal funding to dredge north of the bridge in 2006 citing a marginal cost/benefit ratio. The Wilmington Harbor 403 dredging project, currently under review, does not extend north of mile 26.8; it will end well south of the proposed replacement bridge.
In sum, any upstream industry that uses larger vessels has moved on, and because of the obstacles noted above, it is not likely to return. Regarding the Kinder Morgan site, there are no current development or marketing plans for industrial uses that involve navigation on the river. The new owner stated in the NIR interview that it has no development plans for and is not marketing the site. He indicated many types of “typical” development, including residential, were possible. Given that the Coast Guard’s touchstone for a PNCD is “reasonable need,” speculative assumptions about future uses of these sites should not influence the navigational needs assessment.
ADVOCATING FOR A MORE MODEST & COST-EFFECTIVE DESIGN
HWF advocates for a more modest and cost-effective design. Most importantly, plans for the new bridge must fit—to the greatest extent possible—within the existing right of way of the current bridge to avoid adverse effects. Replacement options below 100 feet in height meet this criterion, providing viable solutions. To provide context, a 65’ fixed-span bridge is projected to cost approximately $255 million—roughly half of estimates for the 135’ option. We hold that the bridge could be constructed for less money while mitigating negative impacts on Wilmington’s historic districts and economy. The district’s cultural and historic assets are irreplaceable, and their loss would be irreparable.
CONCLUSION
Historic preservation and modern infrastructure must coexist harmoniously. We at the Historic Wilmington Foundation advocate for a bridge design that respects Wilmington's unique historical and cultural assets while meeting practical transportation needs.
A fixed span with a clearance of 65 to 100 feet would sufficiently meet reasonable navigational needs without imposing undue financial and cultural costs. By selecting a less tall and less expensive bridge, the project can ensure sustainable development, maintaining the integrity of the Wilmington National Register Historic District and supporting the region's economy.
For the preservation of Wilmington's historic legacy and the well-being of its communities, the Historic Wilmington Foundation urges planners to utilize this funding to support a more considerate and economical approach to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement.
HWF’s mission is to preserve and protect the irreplaceable historic resources of Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear region. The nonprofit’s initiatives include the Preservation Equity Fund, Legacy Architectural Salvage, Tar Heels Go Walking, historic plaques, as well as workshops, walking tours and other educational programs.
Isabelle Shepherd is interim executive director of Historic Wilmington Foundation.
