Federal funding for the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in Wilmington, N.C. has been temporarily paused following a freeze at the federal level, impacting a previously awarded $242 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Communications Officer Andrew Barksdale confirmed the pause to WECT News and said the department is working with federal partners to determine when the grant could move forward.
Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director Mike Kozlosky previously told WECT on Feb. 24 that the project would not be significantly affected. However, Wilmington City Council members were notified of the funding halt just before their Feb. 27 meeting.
“This is a pretty significant pause for a pretty significant amount of money for a much-needed transportation initiative,” said Bill Saffo, Wilmington Mayor, in a statement. “We hope that the money will be there, but right now, who knows?”
Despite concerns, U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina reassured that the funding remains under review but is not at risk of removal.
NCDOT Board of Transportation Representative Landon Zimmer echoed the sentiment, saying funding reviews are common during administrative transitions and that work on the project will continue.
The project’s estimated cost has also risen to $1.1 billion from $450 million, largely due to inflation.
Federal agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are set to determine the bridge’s height by March 2025, with environmental documents expected to be completed by 2026.
Source: WECT News, WilmingtonBiz.com
