Bridge Replacement Project

This page is intended to provide updates on the bridge replacement project and keep the lines of communication open with the citizens and business owners of our community throughout the project. We understand the significant impacts the bridge replacement projects will have on our town, and we pledge to provide our community with accurate and up to date information. This page will be updated throughout the project duration to keep you informed about its progress and how the Town is responding to the impacts of the project.

The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Wrightsville Beach Public Safety Building Conference Room (3 Bob Sawyer Drive).  

PROJECT SCOPE:

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is expected to replace three (3) bridges in Wrightsville Beach, under one project bid (Project HB-0040).

Due to the aging infrastructure of these bridges, it has been determined that the three bridges must be replaced, as upfit and maintenance projects are no longer a viable alternative for the longevity of the bridges.

The replacement project will construct a new bridge on US 76 (Causeway Drive) crossing Banks Channel, and two new bridges on US 74 (West Salisbury Street), crossing Lees Cut and Banks Channel. The project will remove the existing bridges and replace each with a new bridge in roughly the same location as the existing bridge.

The new bridges will not add additional travel lanes for vehicles, but to address growing pedestrian and cyclist demands, each bridge will include 10–12-foot multi-use paths and 6-foot bike lanes.

The Causeway Drive bridge will be a 4-lane bridge (two lanes in each direction) with a divided median, while both of the West Salisbury Street bridges will be 2-lane bridges (one lane in each direction).

Additional detail about the project can be found via the NCDOT’s project webpage: https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/wrightsville-beach-bridge-replacements/Pages/default.aspx.

The Town of Wrightsville Beach does not have any oversight or decision-making authority related to the project, but NCDOT and the Town have a strong working relationship, and the NCDOT has committed to working with the Town and its stakeholders to address our needs through the process.

PROJECT TIMELINE:

Currently, the project remains in the design stage, and the NCDOT has begun the process of analyzing and initiating right-of-way acquisition for the project.

At this time, the project is expected to begin in the Spring of 2028.

TOWN ACTION:

While this project is an NCDOT project, the Town of Wrightsville Beach has, and will continue to be, actively engaged with the NCDOT to ensure the interests of the Town are considered with every decision.

One key step towards ensuring stakeholders from all parts of our community are engaged has been the creation of the Bridge Replacement Committee. The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman created the Bridge Replacement Committee that is comprised of six Wrightsville Beach residents, three ex officio members, and four town staff. The committee's goal is to collect feedback, analyze project detail as it comes available, and provide guidance to the Board of Alderman and the NCDOT to proactively address concerns, reduce negative impacts, and ensure coordination among stakeholders throughout the duration of the project.

The Town has hired a transportation consultant to assist the Bridge Replacement Committee and staff with navigating through the various stages of the project. The consultant will assist with project communications with NCDOT, traffic analysis, project oversight, project benchmarking, emergency service analysis, and other engineering needs related to the project.

In addition, the Town has hired a public safety consultant whose role is to work closely with the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department and Police Department to plan for and mitigate any potential impacts to fire, police, and EMS services. This proactive step ensures that essential public safety services remain uninterrupted and fully prepared throughout the duration of the bridge replacement project.

Town staff continues to be involved in monthly meetings with NCDOT as they finalize the design on all three bridges. These meetings involve utility relocation, rights-of-way acquisition, and street and pedestrian design.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK:

NCDOT provided public feedback opportunities prior to moving forward with initial design. They received 291 responses to their project survey, and used the feedback from those surveys to assist with design options.

As the project moves along, the Town would also like to continue to engage the public to collect feedback and assist residents and business owners navigate through the challenges the project will undoubtedly bring to our community. Residents and business owners are invited to attend the Bridge Replacement Committee meetings, and email our Town Clerk, Lance Heater, with any questions you may have. Please direct those emails to Lance Heater, Town Clerk, lheater@towb.org.