The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is a critical lifeline for Wilmington and our economy, used every day by thousands of residents, tourists headed to the beach and truck drivers going to and from the port,” Cooper stated.

The 3,000-foot-long movable steel span, built in 1969, connects Brunswick and New Hanover counties. Although it is considered safe, its design does not meet modern standards and yearly maintenance costs about $500,000.

Replacing the iconic structure with a high-rise, fixed-span bridge is expected to cost $485 million.