Leland Town Council has approved a resolution requesting that a comprehensive environmental impact statement be prepared before any further action is taken on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement Project.
The resolution was sent to the Federal Highway Administration, North Carolina Department of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Wilmington District, Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Governor of North Carolina, North Carolina Congressional Delegation, members of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the Cape Fear region, North Carolina State Ports Authority, U.S. Coast Guard – North Carolina Sector Commander, and other regional stakeholders.
The resolution expresses concern that, without a comprehensive assessment, decision-makers may not have all the information needed to objectively evaluate the project. It requests an assessment of the project's environmental and socioeconomic impacts, coordination with other projects such as the Wilmington Harbor Navigation Project and Cape Fear Crossing, alternative funding options, and opportunities for robust public participation.
Town Council also requested that no action be taken on the project until there has been sufficient time to review the Environmental Impact Statement and that any existing project timelines be extended, as needed, to allow for a meaningful review period before the project moves forward.
Town Council also approved sending a letter to request a federal review of the Wilmington Harbor Navigation Project.
The letter requests that the Secretary of the Army review the Wilmington Harbor Federal Navigation Project upstream of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to determine whether the project's federal navigation purposes are still needed. The Town Council requests that the review be shared with the public, as it could allow for further consideration of other Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement alternatives that may be less costly to residents of southeastern North Carolina.
“We know there is a need to replace the bridge. However, that should only happen once all available options are reviewed,” said Mayor Brenda Bozeman. “These actions build on each other to ensure that relevant stakeholders have all the information they need to make an informed decision.”
Town Council approved both actions at its regular meeting on Sept. 24.
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge (Photo: Lakeeda Johnson / WWAY)