The N.C. Department of Transportation will close all lanes on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in Wilmington this weekend from 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, until 5 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 15.From the North Carolina DOT:
Overnight closures will continue this week so crews can prepare the bridge for the weekend closure. The bridge is scheduled to be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 10, and Thursday, Oct. 11, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night.
The weekend closure is necessary so the contractor can finish replacing aging cables that raise and lower the bridge. There are a total of 64 cables on the bridge, 32 of which were replaced in September. The additional 32 cables will be replaced this weekend.
Motorists can use the following signed detour route:
- Dawson Street to Oleander Drive to South College Road to MLK Parkway to U.S. 17.
The department also suggests the following alternate routes:
- Motorists traveling on U.S. 421 South:Use I-140 East to I-40 East to College Road.
- Motorists traveling on U.S. 421 North from Carolina Beach:Use College Road to I-40 West to I-140 West. Also, motorists traveling south or west from Carolina Beach can use the Southport-Fort Fisher ferry.
Additionally, the U.S. 17/U.S. 421 southbound left turn lane onto U.S. 74/N.C. 133/ Isabel Holmes Bridge will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and at other times as needed throughout the weekend.
NCDOT met with local officials and law enforcement last week to determine alternate routes and communication tools to inform the public about the upcoming closures and to direct them around the closure. The department has revised the traffic control plans as well as timing on the traffic signals in the area to improve traffic flow. Law enforcement officers will be on site. Also, Incident Management Assistant Patrol drivers from Raleigh and Charlotte will be patrolling the area to assist motorists as needed.
Changeable messages signs and overhead message signs are being used to inform motorists about the upcoming closures and alternate routes. Motorists can also call 511 or visit www.ncdot.gov/travel to get information about the closure.
